Porcupine Grass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Ornamental Grass
Plant Family: Poaceae
Plant Description: Large ornamental grass with narrow, stiff, upward pointing foliage. Narrow bright green blades have bright creamy yellow colored variegation in horizontal bands. Often mistaken for Zebra grass, which has similar vegetation, but the zebra grass is taller with drooping blades. Provides great fall and winter interest.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Ornamental Grass - Medium
Plant Care: Ornamental Grass - Medium (showy non-turf grasses that go dormant in winter, 3-6' tall): Use hand pruners or hedger to cut and remove 2/3 of the total grass height. Trim edges. For warm season grasses (more common), this is best done in late winter to early spring. For cool season grasses apply the same maintenance practices in the late fall, once the plant is dormant.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 4-6' tall x 3' wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Unknown
Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Green, Variegated, Cream
Bloom Colors: Tan
Bloom Seasons: Late Summer
Bloom Period: Aug - Sep

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

  • Design Path
    • Easy Does It
    • Hardscape Exhibit
  • Maintenance Path
    • Backyard Makeover
    • Rain Gardening
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter