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Grass ID Please

Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
Anyone know the species of this ornamental grass? It is flowering now so thought it would be a good time to get an ID on it. It’s about 60-70cm spread and 5.5 feet to the top of the flowering bit.



Thanks. 

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I think it might be Miscanthus Ferner Osten, but not 100% certain. 
  • It could be Miscanthus Malpartus too - I have both, they are very similar.  The flower on Ferner Osten becomes more brush-like as it turns from burgundy to straw, while that on Malpartus is more like a jester's hat!  Both lovely grasses!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Looks like my M. Malepartus - I thought Ferner Osten was a bit finer-leaved?
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Looks like my M.malepartus too.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    Yes I agree based on looking up MM online. Thank you people. I love this grass but unfortunately the previous owners put it at the front of the border so I blocks light to some middle sized plants in the middle of the border. What would be suggest to do? I could prune it back a fair bit and keep on top of it or move it to the back? Thanks 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2022
    Don't touch it until the spring and then cut back early march. One it shows sighs of regrowth you can lift and split too if you like. Never split grasses into small pieces they take too long to establish. Monty Don was talking about grasses on GW yesterday,great plants for dry conditions.
    Just to add when cutting back tie string at the base and cut, probably secateurs for Miscanthus, less messy. You may have new shoots already appearing some gardeners like to be careful to keep these, I just cut it all back will still grow the same.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • On a related note; I would like to move my M. Ferner Osten to a new spot, but not to divide them. Ideally I'd like to move them now. Should we leave this until Spring too?
  • I understand that moving any grasses is best done in the spring. At this time of year they slow down and then stop growing. New roots won't be formed over the winter months and there is a risk that the plant could die.

    Needs to be done at the first sign of growth in early spring. As the weather warms up it will then start to really grow and settle. This applies to most grasses other than Pennisetums which are left until early April as they are more tender.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • I use a cordless hedge trimmer to cut my grasses down in Spring @Alfie_ - gets a neater finish! Apologies for my misspelling of Miscanthus malepartus earlier.  @GardenerSuze's tip about tying at the base before cutting works very well (cut just below the string, close to ground level, above any newly emerging shoots).
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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