Chinese reed – care and cutting of miscanthus

In any case, Chinese reed is a sweet grass and very popular in gardens. Miscanthus sinensis forms dense to loose clumps and becomes 80 to 200 cm high, but sometimes also significantly higher. The plants form a horizontally growing rhizome from which the root system grows. Depending on the nature of the soil, this can penetrate to a depth of 2.50 meters. What is special about the Chinese shield is the striking inflorescence, a 20 to 36 cm long, almost bald to tomentose-haired panicle with many grapes. The feathery panicles of flowers, depending on the variety, silvery-white or silvery-pink to silvery-red, usually appear late in the year, in August or September. There are numerous varieties that are used as a design element in the garden. The giant Chinese reed (Miscanthus x giganteus), which can be up to 4 meters high, is particularly well known.

Chinese grass comes from Asia, but gets along well with Central European locations. Even the flowering time was adapted to our climatic conditions and set for the end of summer. The plants get along great with us, in summer and winter, as long as the location is right.

  • Location as sunny as possible!
  • Light shade is tolerated.
  • Too much shade causes weak growth, hardly any flowering and weakens the plant.

Plant substrate

Chinese reeds do not make great demands on the plant substrate as long as it is not too dry. Damp surfaces are much more suitable than dry ones.

  • Nutrient-rich and humus soil
  • It is beneficial to enrich the soil with peat or compost to retain moisture.
  • Slightly moist, but well-drained substrates are ideal.
  • Good drainage is important!
  • Chinese reeds do not thrive on damp soils.
  • Soil compaction is unfavorable.

plant

Chinese reed plant

The best time to plant Miscanthus is in spring. However, you don’t always get it in the nurseries. They want to sell flowering plants whenever possible, that works better. Mail order companies, on the other hand, have no problem with that. From the end of June to the beginning of July, the normal nurseries will also be offering grasses again. Perennial nurseries always have them on offer.

  • Plant spacing from 30 to 120 cm, depending on the variety.
  • Chinese reed looks particularly beautiful in combination with phlox, sun bride or torch lilies.
  • Young plants are sensitive to root competition. Therefore, weeds have to be removed regularly.
  • A rhizome barrier makes sense if there is a maintenance-intensive green area right next to the reeds.
  • Many lovers plant their Chinese reeds in mortar tubs, but without a bottom. Even so, it shouldn’t spread much.

Watering and fertilizing

Since Chinese reed prefers moist soils, it must be watered regularly, depending on the substrate, location and weather. However, there is no need to fertilize, the plants get along well without fertilizer. However, a little fertilizer doesn’t hurt either.

  • Plants that have been recently planted in particular must be watered sufficiently and regularly.
  • Otherwise, the soil should not dry out too much!
  • If the soil is very humus and fertile, there is no need to fertilize.
  • Otherwise, a full fertilizer application in spring is recommended.
  • Do not fertilize in the year of planting!
  • You can use ashes from the oven.
  • It is better not to use manure and manure!

To cut

Chinese reed is cut back just above the ground. When to do this is a matter of discretion. You can cut in autumn, but I think the decorative stalks are particularly beautiful in winter. The fronds look great, especially when there is hoar frost. I cut in the spring, and it works great. Experts even say that cutting in autumn can damage the plant. So water can penetrate into the hollow stalks and that in turn can lead to rot.

Overwinter

Chinese reed is well hardy. It looks great in the garden during the cold season. The flower stalks left standing look very distinctive and elegant, especially under snow and hoarfrost, and give the garden structure. Reeds that are as young as possible are happy to have some winter protection. Otherwise, Chinese reed should survive the winter even in very rough locations. The dry parts of the plant serve as protection, so never cut there in autumn! It is ideal to tie the plant together a little so that the wind does not tear the long stalks or the load of snow kinks them.

  • Sufficiently hardy.
  • Tie stalks and long leaves together to protect them from snow and wind!

Multiply

The rhizomes of the Chinese auxiliary spread quickly and strongly. After just a few years, the grass takes up large areas. It spreads by itself, sometimes much more than is desired.

Chinese reed is multiplied by dividing the rhizomes. The best time to do this is in spring. Since the roots form a dense network, digging up is sometimes a bit of a hassle. The divided grass is immediately planted again. So it can take root quickly. The division does not always work, but you can try again.

Chinese reed plant Diseases and pests

Diseases and pests

Chinese reed is a very robust plant. Diseases and pests are generally not noticed.

Nice varieties

Chinese reed becomes more and more beautiful with age. In the beginning it is usually not very impressive, but it increases with every year. The choice is always a matter of taste, but once I put together a few particularly decorative varieties.

  • ‘Adagio’ – also called the dwarf Chinachilf. Low, abundant flowering variety and an extraordinarily beautiful, harmonious growth habit. Only 100 to 150 cm tall and also suitable for small gardens and pots.
  • ‘Ghana’ – 140 to 170 cm high grass with beautiful autumn colors. Bright orange leaves cause explosions of color. Good specimen plant, but also suitable for small groups. Flower stalks grow straight upright
  • ‘Giraffe’ – also known as the zebra Chinese reed. The horizontal yellow stripes are particularly noticeable. Blooms reliably and relatively early. Upright, loose growth, very stable. Height of growth 180 to 250 cm
  • ‘Grazielle’ – with silver-white, loose flower flags and bright orange-red autumn colors. Especially nice as a solitaire. Grows to a height of 140 to 170 cm and flowers reliably. Particularly fluffy inflorescences and the best winter silhouette.
  • ‘Hermann Müssel’ – half-height variety with a perfect growth habit. Particularly floriferous with a broad, arching overhanging habit. Height of growth 120 to 170 cm, flowering September to November
  • ‘Kleine Fountain’ – an extremely rich flowering variety with overhanging foliage. Flowering from July to October. Flowers reddish at first, later silvery. Height of growth 140 to 160 cm. There is also a higher variety.
  • ‘Morning Light’ – white colored Chinese reeds. Narrow leaves with white margins. Nice overhanging habit, but grows slowly and hardly flowers. Very elegant and fine variety.
  • Miscanthus sinensis var. Purpurascens ” Hercules ” – low-growing, with early reddish-brown autumn colors. The variety is extremely robust and also suitable for rough locations. Initially pink inflorescences, later silvery. Height of growth 120 to 130 cm.

Chinese reed varieties

Tips

  • Chinese reeds do not like competition from weeds in the year of planting. So, always stay on the ball when plucking!
  • Often Chinese reed is not properly declared. One simply buys it under the name Chinaschilf. But there are so many varieties. It is important to know the correct name. This is the only way to find specific information about the particular grass. Chinachilf alone is too general.
  • Always remember that most of the grasses grow quite large, both in height and in spread. You have to leave enough space for it and have it first. Fortunately, there are also smaller varieties for small gardens.

Conclusion
Chinese reed is decorative and easy to care for. You only have to use scissors once a year and cut the grass at a height of about 10 cm. Otherwise it gets along well on its own and may need some water every now and then in summer. There are wonderful varieties, the right one for every garden size. You have to be careful that Chinese reeds do not spread too widely in the garden. The rhizomes allow the plants to spread out quite a bit.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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