The deciduous ornamental grass Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus (Zebra grass) has been in a prominent position in our back garden for about six years. Planted in the main border it looks rather striking.
I wasn’t familiar with it when we purchased this plant, and felt unsure regarding hardiness. Well it hasn’t let us down, although the Aberdeen Summer is not warm enough for development of the silvery white plumes which should show in Autumn.
However the plant is very ornamental with dark green leaves and horizontal creamy bands which appear in late Summer.
Not quite the same this past Summer, where have the Zebra stripes gone. Well they never appeared, I can only think that its because of the terribly cool cloudy weather which we had from early June right through till almost the end of September, occasionally being teased and tormented with a day here and there that hinted of things to change.
This deciduous clump forming perennial is one of those plants which will grow in most soils as long as it is free draining. The architectural appearance of Zebrinus makes it most effective as a single specimen plant standing alone, or in the mixed border as we have it.
In late Winter cut the plant down to ground level and gradually she will return to her former glory.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Position – Full sun/partial shade
Height – 120/150cm
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I have seen many impressive pictures which my blogging friends have shown of sunrise and sunsets. This has inspired me to take a few snaps of my own. I found myself wondering about, the red sky at night is a shepherds delight and red sky in the morning is a sailors warning. And also is it possible to tell which pictures were taken at dusk and which ones at dawn.
These three pictures above were taken in the back garden on the 19th of November as the sun was rising.
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The three above were taken on November 12th as the sun was setting.
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© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
How you captured the sun beautifully!
Dewi recently posted..Rapini
Alistair, I rather like the miscanthus without the stripe. It does make a fine clump and a great foil for your other planting. Lovely series of sun rises and sun sets.
I’ve never managed to take a photo either of a sunrise or sunset.
I’m envious of height. My garden is almost flat at present. In the spring, tulips and daffodils will grow. In the summer, foxgloves. There isn’t space in between to have tall things for winter – so it all goes miserably flat, admittedly with surface growing plants spread over it but, none the less, flat.
Esther Montgomery recently posted..THE GARDEN MEDIA GUILD LUNCH – ONE – ONE OF MANY!
I must admit Esther adding a bit of height makes all the difference.
The stripes on the zebra grass are so beautiful. It looks good in your garden even without them, though. Love your planting combinations in the picture. So interesting and varied. Love those pink leaves to the left of it, too!
Holleygarden recently posted..Lessons Learned?
That is the Autumn leaves of the dogwood Holley.
Hi Alistair – what a timeous post! I was gifted a Miscanthus sinesis Zebrinus about two weeks ago. Its still quite small (just over a foot high) and I planted it in semi-shade and have been wondering whether I did the right thing. Now I know! Its a stunner in your garden, I didn’t realise they get that big though.
Your photos are lovely!
Christine @ The Gardening Blog recently posted..New Garden Lessons Learned
Christine it will never be short of the stripes in your part of the world.
your Zebrinus has done well I bought a small one the first year I was here but lost it to the grass and elements,
nice sunrise and set photos, I don’t think you can tell the difference, I only see sunrises due to the sun dissappearing over the hill before it sets, when I post photos even though I say they are sunrise there is usual someone who likes my ‘sunset’ photos
Frances
Island Threads recently posted..wordless Wednesday
Frances, true enough its hardly likely looking at a photograph we can tell east from west.
I too have zebra grass and it spreads and clumps like crazy. It should be split on occasion to keep it fresh looking. I love that sky. What gorgeous color you captured.
Donna recently posted..A Mash-Up Post of Topics
Donna, I am keeping an eye on it, think it may require splitting in a couple of years.
If I saw a picture of the zebra plant, I would think it could only be planted in isolation as a stand-alone plant, but it fits perfectly in your border.
I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between sunrises and sunsets, both sets of photos are beautiful.
b-a-g recently posted..Moon Garden (03 DEC 2011)
b-a-g, it is surprising how well it fits into the mixed border.
Alistair I love this grass but have the more dwarf variety that will stripe no matter what…I love leaving it up all winter to look at the beautiful copper colored leaves with snow…how timely your gorgeous photos of the sky…my post Monday will tell you why…
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Chance vs Choice
Donna, I think I will look out for the dwarf one next year.
I wish any miscanthus would grow for me striped or otherwise and I agree that it must be light related for it not to have produced the variegation this year.
You’ve captured that sunrise and sunset perfectly Alistair. I forgot to check with you but did you eventually find out the name of that pieris as I would be interested in getting one like yours for my garden.
Rosie@leavesnbloom recently posted..Decoration ideas with Poinsettias/Euphorbia pulcherrima
No , I never did find out Rosie. Its really annoying me, I will have to think of some other method to find out.
I agree that ‘Zebrinus’ is quite beautiful. It does tend to flop when it gets tall so you are lucky it doesn’t reach its full height. You are also lucky that it doesn’t flower. Miscanthus sinenesis freely seeds into natural areas here in the U.S., destroying the native flora. The native meadows at Valley Forge National Park, near me in Pennsylvania and one of our country’s most hallowed historic areas, have been destroyed by it. I grow ‘Morning Light’ in my area because it flowers too late to produce seed. I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this.
Carolyn @ Carolyns Shade Gardens recently posted..Carolyn’s Shade Gardens 2012 Calendar
Carolyn, always good to get your experience of plants which we grow in our garden. I will keep a look out for morning light next year.
Beautiful sunrise/sunset photos. I love seeing the sky looking almost like its on fire like that. The colours are so beautiful.
sweetpealou recently posted..Toby Buckland – Interview
Hello Alistair. Have you had snow yet? I like your grass – but I need a grass that will grow in boggy conditions. Any ideas?
Kininvie recently posted..The second of Winter
No sign of snow yet Kininvie turned very cold though. Grasses such as Arundo which like boggy conditions are not so keen on our Winters.
Lovely colours in those winter skies Alistair.
Janet/Plantaliscious recently posted..End of Month View November 2011: Dying Well
Dear Alastair, I love your sky pics. However the first part of the post is very sad. I fondly remember the story How the leopard got its spots. We need another story called How the zebra lost its stripes. cheers, cm
catmint recently posted..frogs, developers and cartoons
Hi catmint, I did consider making an issue of how the zebra lost its stripes.