Strictus is very upright in form - Zebrinus lax and arching. Strictus is also considerably hardier - at least to zone 4 - and more tolerant of wet or even boggy conditions. Zebrinus is slightly taller (5-6' vs 4-5') and the leaves are a bit wider. Flowerheads are similar in size and color - a pinkish copper that fades to straw. Zebrinus also makes a BIG statement - mature clumps are easily 5-6' wide.

Thanks as ever, gardengal, for your advice.
James.

I've wondered about this too. Thx, Karen

Just to add --

I've seen Zebrinus that is 8 feet or more. It is prone to flopping. At a demonstration garden recently I saw a mature clump of Strictus that was easily 6-7 feet tall and very wide and impressive.

Our Zebrinus is 7 feet tall right now. It's beautiful and we love it, though it does require staking to keep it from flopping over too much (ours is planted next to a wood fence, so it tends to lean). We might buy Strictus for another section in our yard, however, since it's more upright.

Lisa Ann -- I fully support your thoughts on trying out a Strictus if you are really a fan of the banded grasses and have a hot spot with good late sun that can bring out the best in the grass. That said -- to you and anyone else willing to listen to a guy with 54 grass varieties in the yard -- if you don't have a 'Morning Light' Miscanthus yet, get one and plant it next spring. I can not speak highly enough of the beauty of a mature clump of that grass. Amazing, subtle, sublime, stunning. I sometimes just look at it with love for minutes at a time. As it's name suggests, it looks best in a place where you can see early (or late) light through its leaves. Ohmigod!

Strictus is definately the most upright of all the more commonly seen Miscanthus, very strong vertical habit is a contrast to the others