▷ What can be done to make the Dutch wave miscante decoration really impressive

Miscanti are tall decorative bell-shaped plants that make a fine display in the most famous European gardens, already decorating many modern courtyards in Lithuania. However, miscibles don’t always look as impressive as we expect them to. In this video report we talk about it with a green specialist They were Maroziene.

What I learned about miscanthus during the conversation with Vaiva Maroziene, I share in this article. I remind you that Vaiva is also included in our courses”Naturalistic flower garden” AND “Bellflower design“teacher.

Let’s get to know each other – miscanti

Miskantai (lat. Miscanthus) is a decorative herbaceous plant, that is, it germinates in spring, continues to grow in summer, and in autumn its stems eventually dry out, but do not become woody. Every year it becomes extremely tall (some varieties exceed 2 meters in height) and can remain that way until spring. Then its aboveground part is cut off and regrows in the spring. Well, that’s the productivity of the plant! In the second half of summer it grows at such a speed that when you return after a week’s vacation, you see a noticeable change.

Some varieties of miscanthus can boast striped leaves, but the greatest beauty lies in the inflorescences, which look like soft brooms. The most popular are burgundy and silver, but there are varieties whose color goes from white to bright red at the beginning of flowering, and then fades and remains pale yellow. Soon I will tell you about the varieties of miscanthus.

In training “Bell System Design” we present in more detail bell-shaped plants suitable for cultivation in Lithuanian climatic conditions. Here you will be able to hear what functions they perform in greenery, see many examples from our region and learn how to create the most beautiful combinations with bell-shaped plants.

When planning the cultivation of miscanthus, it should also be said that they are especially beautiful in autumn, although they also look amazing in the winter landscape due to their large cherub shape and fluffy inflorescences. Therefore, last year’s stems should be cut only in early spring.

How to know if miscanthus is suitable for cultivation in our climate zone

If you choose the wrong variety, it is possible that the miscanthus will grow, but will not have time to flower, that is, to ripen the panicles. When choosing, it is important to pay attention to which frost resistance zone the variety belongs to. You can find this information on the plant’s label (“hardiness zone” in English) or simply enter the plant’s full Latin name into a Google search.

In the eastern part of Lithuania (Vilnius, Švenčionys, Ignalina, Rokiškis and further east) zone 4 dominates, in central and southern Lithuania zone 5, and warm sea nights and milder winters mean that the Lithuanian coast belongs to zone 6. A lower number indicates less resistance to the cold, and therefore a higher risk. The lower the number, the greater the chance of not having problems, says Vaiva Marozienė. Find out more about frosty areas in Lithuania read here.

The most popular miscanthus varieties

Let’s go back to the miscanti. If you want to see more than just leaves, Vaiva Marozienė recommends choosing from the following species: Miscanthus x giganteus (also called elephant grass in Lithuanian) or Miscanthus sinensis (miskantas smiling).

Elephant grass (Miscanthus x giganteus) – like giants that grow up to 3 meters tall in the right conditions. They don’t have time to flower in Lithuania, but they still look impressive. The following variety is ready to flower: Miscanthus x giganteus ‘Meidl’.

Elephant grass (Miscanthus x giganteus) grows larger than a person. author of the photo L. Lubertaitė.

Miscanthus sinensis (Miscanthus sinensis): more compact and visually much more graceful. These varieties of Chinese miscanthus should also grow well in the eastern part of Lithuania:

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Federweisser’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Far East’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Flamingo’ (pink)

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’

In western Lithuania or in areas with a more favorable microclimate, the following can be grown:

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Elfin’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Graciella’

● Miscanthus sinensis ‘Grosse Fontane’

Miscanthus cultivation conditions

In order for miscanti to reveal all their beauty, they need certain conditions for their cultivation, first of all, sandy soil that ensures good water permeability (these plants do not tolerate water stagnation). If miscanthus grows in the clay soil of your garden, in a ravine where water stagnates in spring, this is the first sign of danger for your miscanthus.

Also, choose a sunny place on the ground for them, because they are light and heat-loving plants. Miscanthus flowers after winter in late spring, only after the sun has warmed the soil well. This is a serious flaw of miscanthus that must be considered when planning plant groupings in your garden. I

Miscanthus is extremely easy to care for and is best left to grow on its own. Remember that too much love in the form of abundant watering and fertilizing can even be disastrous for these plants.

Sufficient space should also be reserved for the missing. Miscanthus is a long-lived plant, so it sometimes takes a year or two to “catch up.” Therefore, it is necessary to give it enough space so that the seedling (especially if it is Chinese miscanthus) is not overshadowed by stronger plants.