Maiden grass 'Gracillimus'

Questions about maiden grass 'Gracillimus'

Does maiden grass 'Gracillimus' need sun or shade?

Maiden grass 'Gracillimus' grows in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun a day).

It wants ordinary well-drained soil, of average fertility, and a good soak in dry spells. Once settled in, it stands drought.

What zones does maiden grass 'Gracillimus' grow in?

USDA zones 5 to 9. It is hardy to zone 5, which means it survives winter nights down to about −10 °F (−23 °C).

Gardening in Canada? Use the USDA zone for your town: Canada's own zone map uses different numbers.

When does maiden grass 'Gracillimus' flower in my zone?

In zone 5 it flowers mid September to early November. As an autumn flower it keeps much the same dates in every zone: it answers to shortening days and cool nights more than to the warmth of spring.

Worked out from Hopkins' bioclimatic law: spring arrives about four days later for each degree of latitude north, and one zone is roughly two degrees. A warm spring or a cold one moves any garden two weeks either way.

How far apart should maiden grass 'Gracillimus' be planted?

3½ ft (100 cm) apart, from the middle of one plant to the middle of the next. That is a little closer than its full width of 4 ft (120 cm), so a group knits into one patch.

It grows 6 ft (180 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many maiden grass 'Gracillimus' plants do I need?

At 3½ ft apart, set out in staggered rows:

• 1 to fill 10 square feet (about 1 m²)
• 4 for a single row 10 ft (3 m) long
• 3 to fill a 4 × 8 ft bed on its own

In a mixed border, plant it as one, with clear ground around it: a feature plant is seen as an object, and a group of them is a thicket.

Is maiden grass 'Gracillimus' poisonous to dogs and cats?

No toxicity is recorded for dogs, cats, horses or people, according to NC State Extension.

"Not toxic" is not "edible": a pet that eats a lot of any plant can be sick.

What can I plant instead of maiden grass 'Gracillimus'?

Maiden grass 'Gracillimus' is listed as invasive in parts of North America, so the planner never uses it. These do the most similar job, and are native:

• Switchgrass 'Cloud Nine': the same job in a bed; 12 in taller, 4 in narrower.
• Deer grass: the same job in a bed and the same colour; 24 in shorter, flowers early August to early October.
• Indian grass 'Sioux Blue': the same colour; an accent, not a specimen, 16 in narrower.

Matched the way the planner's Swap button matches plants: the same job in a bed, then size, then flowering time.

Do deer eat maiden grass 'Gracillimus'?

Mostly not. NC State lists it as resistant to deer. No plant is proof against a hungry deer in a hard winter, but this one is low on the menu.

Will maiden grass 'Gracillimus' spread?

It seeds itself about; the risk of it taking over is moderate. Self-seeds in warm climates, and seedlings revert to the vigorous wild type. Listed as invasive in many eastern states and regulated in New York. Check local guidance before planting.

It is listed as invasive in parts of North America, and the planner never chooses it.

What does maiden grass 'Gracillimus' look like in winter?

Maiden grass 'Gracillimus' turns the colour of straw and, left uncut, stands through the winter, with seed for the birds. Cut it down in late winter, before the new shoots come up.

Is maiden grass 'Gracillimus' good for bees and butterflies?

Maiden grass 'Gracillimus' is visited by songbirds.