Maiden grass 'Gracillimus' vs Switchgrass 'Northwind'
Maiden grass (Miscanthus) seeds into fields, roadsides and woodland edges in much of the eastern United States and is listed as invasive there. Switchgrass is the native grass that does the same job in a border: an upright clump with a haze of flower in late summer and good autumn colour, and 'Northwind' is as stiffly upright as any Miscanthus.
 Maiden grass 'Gracillimus'Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' |  Switchgrass 'Northwind'Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 5½ ft tall, 2½ ft wide |
| Plant | 3½ ft apart | 24 in apart |
| Zones | 5 to 9 | 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, average fertility | Well-drained, average fertility |
| Flowers | Mid September to early November; tan | Early August to early October; tan |
| Leaves | Fine, herbaceous | Fine, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Specimen | Accent |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | Variety of a native |
| Spread | Invasive in places | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose switchgrass 'Northwind' for colder gardens (to zone 4), a native garden, a plant that stays put (the other is invasive in places) and more wildlife.
Read more: all about maiden grass 'Gracillimus', and all about switchgrass 'Northwind', each with a bed the planner designed around it.