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Miscanthus sinensis too tall!

lucy_listerlucy_lister Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Is it possible to cut back the height of a miscanthus sinensis now (ie height of summer) or do I need to wait until spring? 
I did cut it right back in spring but it has since grown to 6ft. 
Would it be ok to cut it shorter somewhat? 

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    IMHO it'll look awful if you give it a hair cut. 
    Devon.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Do you know which variety of M. Sinesis it is Lucy ?
    Some of them are shorter generally speaking around 4 feet.
    To be honest l don't know what would happen if you cut it back now, presumably it would start growing again, but l'm not sure if it would affect the "plumes" later in the year.

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Agree it would look terrible.
    I cut mine to the ground in Spring, but they attain the same height every year.
    if it is too tall, i would move it.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Surely a 6’ plant at the back of the border would be a good thing? 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • lucy_listerlucy_lister Posts: 4
    It’s the morning light variety. 

    It’s in the middle of the border as I like to play with height not just at the back. However, it got much bigger than the 1.5m I had anticipated. 

    I will move it next spring! Im assuming I have to wait until spring to move it? 

    Thank you everyone. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Personally l would leave it until the Spring, get the benefit of the Winter interest, and then move it.
    I think it's generally recommended to move grasses in the Spring. 
    Be prepared to chop it back, then dig quite a way down and across, they can spread a bit !
    I would also take the opportunity to divide the clump while you're at it.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    If you want to replace it with a shorter version, try Ferner Osten.  It's only about 3-4 foot tall.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I thought Ferner Osten was more like 5-6ft? Starlight is a particularly compact variety, but Yakushima Dwarf might be easier to come by.


    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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