Miscanthus 'Little Zebra'- how wide?

15 years ago

A local plant sale is going to offer this plant in fall and I just wanted to check to make sure this isn't going to out grow the space I may have for it. Most sites say it gets 3-4 feet tall, so should I expect a similar spread or will it get even wider than that? I am ashamed to say I haven't grown Miscanthus before (okay, once. And I killed it, lol). Will it do okay in a full sun AND rather dry site? It gets pretty hot n' dry here in summer and I want to make sure it can handle that sort of location.

Also, is the gold banding on 'Little Zebra' nice and bold? I was looking at pictures of it online and wasn't sure. It looked like there wasn't quite as much gold in it as say 'Gold Bar' Miscanthus. What do you think? Is there much difference in height/width between those two cultivars? Thanks much for any info you can give. Ps. I don't mind seeing any pictures you have of the grass either ;-)

CMK

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Comments (4)

donn_
15 years ago
2-3' wide at maturity.

It doesn't mind a hot site, but needs at least some water.

The gold banding isn't as prominent as on 'Gold Bar.'

'Gold Bar' grows much more slowly, but ultimate size is about the same.

Note: Zone 5 is the bottom of this plant's hardiness range. Adjust your anticipated growth rate and size to reflect this fact. For the first couple of years, I'd cut it down in early winter and give it a good thick cover of mulch.
christinmk z5b eastern WA
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow, thanks for all the information donn. I did not know that it could be a bit tender in z5, glad you mentioned it. Thanks again
CMK
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docmoo
15 years ago
christin ! I am zone 5 and my dwarf Zebra is 3 yrs old now and it is pushing 5 ft tall and its spread is close to 7!!! I agree with donn re. the banding but it is still very prominent and more so as the season progresses. It's beautiful and a darling, and compared to my regular Zebra is smaller, but much bigger than what I would call a "dwarf". Welcome to the Miscanthus, they are a great family of ornamentals. m
jean001a
15 years ago
It was said "but much bigger than what I would call a "dwarf""

Dwarf only means smaller than the standard size. Doesn't have any relationship as to how much smaller.