Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Will my Miscanthus come back?

LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
in Plants
I planted my first two Miscanthus last year - 'Starlight' and 'Morning Light', both small specimens. The Starlight grew well and flowered. The Morning Light was a 'rescue' plant but it had recovered well by October so I planted it in the same bed.

In late Feb I cut all my deciduous grasses back as I've done previously but this year I included my two new Miscanthus. There's visible regrowth on Calamagrostis, Deschampsia & Pennisetum but I have to say the Miscanthus look dead. Should I have waited til' a bit later to cut them back?
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
«134

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    They should be fine, mine are not yet showing new growth.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited March 2023
    @LunarSea Last year I purchased M Flamingo it was only a small plant. The roots looked fine but it took time to show some top growth. Suddenly it really started to grow fast and it was fine. I looked at it yesterday and there were a few tiny green shoots at the base.
    I cut back all my miscanthus end of February.  I can see sighs of life with M Kliene Fontane but this is one of the large ones. I would be very suprised if you have any problems although they are more vulnerable when you have small pieces.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    it's still only mid March. 
    Bags of time for them to get going
    Devon.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Did you see Monty Don's dead grasses Friday night?  If not it is not too late to play catch-up.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Monty Don's grasses weren't one of the more hardy ones, together with wet soil I guess that was why.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
    Thanks all, that's encouraging. I'm not noted for my patience :|  It doesn't help when I can see good recovery on my other grasses, even Pennisetum 'Hameln'. The only other one that still seems to be hiding is my Pannicum 'Prairie Sky' which I've re-potted but it was very slow to emerge last year so I'm not too worried.
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Miscanthus are a bit slow to get going.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    The grass that Monty lost from his paradise garden was, Anemanthele lessoniana, which should be hardy, although interestingly I have also lost several this winter.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I grow mainly Calamagrostis and Miscanthus varieties, all cut at the same time in late February.  My Calamagrostis are all visibly in shoot, the Miscanthus always take a bit longer.  I also grow Panicum, they are later than Miscanthus.  Your grasses should be fine.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
    Thankyou @Plantminded :)
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
Sign In or Register to comment.