Plant Library

Other Names:  Japanese Silver Grass

Description:

This is a big, upright clumping grass with arching, ribbon like leaves with white spines and wide green edges; a robust and vigorous variety, producing tall, coppery-pink plumes that mature to silvery cream; a stunning accent plant

Ornamental Features

Condensatus Maiden Grass is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. The creamy white seed heads are carried on showy plumes with silver overtones, which are displayed in abundance from early fall to late winter. Its attractive grassy leaves are dark green in color with pointy creamy white spines. The foliage often turns yellow and in fall. It features bold plumes of coppery-bronze flowers with pink overtones rising above the foliage in late summer. The tan stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Condensatus Maiden Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Condensatus Maiden Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Condensatus Maiden Grass will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.