The Perennial Matchmaker

Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis), also called Japanese silver grass or maiden grass, can be an interesting addition to later-season combos for foliage color and texture. Generally hardy in Zones 4 or 5 to 9, this warm-season grass also has reddish to pinkish to tan, whisk-like flower heads that mature to fluffy, white seed heads. Be aware, though, that miscanthus can seed into natural areas, particularly in the eastern half of the United States, so you may want to do an online search to check its invasive status in your state before planting. Or choose a native grass instead: Switch grasses (Panicum), for instance, offer some of the same features.

Green-leaved miscanthus selections, such as ‘Adagio’ and ‘Arabesque’, are useful behind or between brightly colored or intricately patterned blooms, like those of many daylilies (Hemerocallis) and true lilies (Lilium).

Miscanthus cultivars with white-centered or white-edged leaves, such as ‘Dixieland’ and ‘Morning Light’, are lovely partners for snowy-bloomed perennials, such as ‘David’ summer phlox (Phlox paniculata), or with colored flowers that have white markings. Selections with yellow-banded foliage, such as ‘Super Stripe’, work equally well with whites, brights, and pastels, but they’re particularly charming partners for bright yellow blooms, like those of ‘Fireworks’ rough goldenrod (Solidago rugosa). Any of the variegated miscanthus can look great with pink blooms, too.

A Perfect Match

One of my favorite easy-care pairings is ‘Morning Light’ miscanthus with giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima). The slender leaves of the grass offer a striking textural contrast to the broad coneflower foliage in summer, then make an elegant backdrop for the coneflower’s bold blooms in summer and for its large, dark seed heads in fall.

Many miscanthus selections have a fountainlike form: narrow at the base and wider at the top, with arching foliage that reaches out to all sides. They look striking cascading over lower, upright or mounded companions or contrasted with distinctly vertical partners, such as Culver’s roots (Veronicastrum) or summer phlox (Phlox paniculata). Or start with one of the very upright miscanthus, such as ‘Gold Bar’, for the vertical effect, and use a mounded partner, such as Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), for contrast.

The flower heads of miscanthus have a fine texture that complements many perennial partners, but they are especially striking with big, bold blooms, like those of hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus) and Joe-Pye weeds (Eupatorium).

Miscanthus clumps are slow to sprout in spring but grow quickly once the soil warms up, so they’re usually large enough to contribute to combinations by early summer (in warmer areas) to midsummer (in northern gardens). Some cultivars begin blooming in late summer; most, however, wait until early or mid-fall. Cooler weather usually brings out yellow, bronzy, or reddish leaf colors as the season winds down. Flame grass (Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’) is particularly prized for its showy autumn colors. Miscanthus leaves and stems eventually turn shades of buff, copper, or tan as they dry in place, and they’ll stand through much of winter.

Bloom Buddies

Marvelous Matches for Flowering Combos

Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis) thrives in full sun and average to moist soil, but it can tolerate light shade and somewhat dry conditions. Below are some compatible, later-flowering perennials that can share their usual flowering season.

Asters (Aster)

Azure monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii)

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)

Echinaceas (Echinacea)

Eupatoriums (Eupatorium)

False aster (Boltonia asteroides)

Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus)

Ironweeds (Vernonia)

Japanese anemones (Anemone)

Japanese burnet (Sanguisorba tenuifolia)

Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum)

Perennial sunflowers (Helianthus)

Rudbeckias (Rudbeckia)