#miscanthus sinensis

[wiley-treehouse-gardens]

[samirafee]

#MISCANTHUS SINENSIS - ZEBRA GRASS🌾

@samirafee

[nagaino]

[flowerishness]

Poaceae The grass family including Cortaderia selloana (Pampas grass) and Miscanthus sinensis (Zebra grass)

I don't really think of members of the grass family as flowering plants, but of course they are. The grass family is huge with 780 genera divided into over 12,000 known species, making Poaceae the fifth largest plant family in the world. The grass family doesn't have pretty flowers because it doesn't need to attract insects. All grasses are wind-pollinated.

The grass family is ancient. Seeds from Poaceae species related to modern rice and bamboo have been found in fossilized dinosaur dung from the late Cretaceous period but the grass family really got going about five million years ago. New mountain chains (like the Rockies) created much larger dry habitats, ideal for the vast grasslands to develop. Today, just three species (rice, corn and wheat) provide half of humanity's daily calories.

I've never grown ornamental grass but one one of my neighbors has thoughtfully planted these two common species in the front garden. I know all about that combination of grass species we call a lawn and I've struggled with mine for thirty-five years. Incidentally, I'm giving away my rechargeable lawn mower next week because I've sold my house. The mower works just fine but I won't need it to mow my balcony. I'm moving at the end of the month to a fourth-floor condo.

It has come to this.

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 4 November 2024

In late autumn and remaining into early winter the flowers of Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan' (eulalia, Japanese silver grass) add interest to the border. This tall deciduous grass produces arching green leaves with white margins and pale green midribs. It will thrive in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun.

Jill Raggett

[pix4japan]

Morning Light on Sengokuhara: Silver Grass and Tradition at Mt. Hakone・仙石原すすき草原：箱根山北麓に広がる、伝統と美の保護

At an altitude of about 700 meters, the vast field of Sengokuhara is blanketed with tall susuki grass (Japanese silver grass, Miscanthus sinensis). Lush and deep green in summer, the grass transforms in early autumn into glistening silvery tufts that sway elegantly in the breeze.

A gently sloping path cuts straight through the field along the northern base of Mt. Daigatake, an inactive lava dome that’s part of the Hakone caldera. This dirt path stretches 680 meters (2,228 feet) across the full width of the slope, leading visitors on an immersive walk through this ocean of silver grass that has been designated as one of Kanagawa’s “50 Best Scenic Spots” and a “Top 100 Flower Viewing Spot.”

While traditionally used for grazing and roofing, Miscanthus species are now valued not only as beautiful ornamentals but also as a candidate for biomass energy resource. Originating in East Asia, these grasses have since spread across North and South America, Europe, Africa, and beyond.

Full write-up with references and Google Maps links (1-minute read): https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20241015-sengokuhara2

Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Timestamp: 08:05・2024/10/15 Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP 28 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/11

[konjaku]

荻[Ogi] Miscanthus sacchariflorus

In Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's novel 芋粥[Imogayu](The Yam Gruel), there is the following passage. This is the scene where a fox captured by a general 藤原利仁[Fujiwara-no Toshihito] was ordered to deliver a message. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217513605 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujiwara_no_Toshihito

抛り出された狐は、なぞへの斜面を、轉げるやうにして、駈け下りると、水の無い河床の石の間を、器用に、ぴよいぴよい、飛び越えて、今度は、向うの斜面へ、勢よく、すぢかひに駈け上つた。駈け上りながら、ふりかへつて見ると、自分を手捕りにした侍の一行は、まだ遠󠄁い傾斜の上に馬を並べて立つてゐる。それが皆、指を揃へた程に、小さく見えた。殊に入日を浴びた、月毛と蘆毛とが、霜を含んだ空󠄁氣の中に、描いたよりもくつきりと、浮󠄁き上つてゐる。 狐は、頭をめぐらすと、又枯薄󠄁の中を、風のやうに走り出した。

[Hōridasareta kitsune wa, nazoe no shamen wo, korogeru yō ni shite, kakeoriruto, mizu no nai kawadoko no ishi no aida wo, kiyō ni, pyoi-pyoi, tobikoete, kondo wa, mukō no shamen e, ikioi yoku, sujikai ni kakeagatta. Kakeagari nagara, furikaette miruto, jibun wo tedori ni shita samurai no ikkō wa, mada tooi keisha no ue ni uma wo narabete tatte iru. Sorega mina, yubi wo soroeta hodo ni, chiisaku mieta. Koto ni irihi wo abita, tsukige to ashige toga, shimo wo fukunda kūki no naka ni, egaita yorimo kukkiri to, ukiagatte iru.]

[Kitsune wa, kashira wo megurasuto, mata karesusuki no naka wo, kaze no yō ni hashiri dashita.]

The fox that was thrown out ran down the diagonally sloped surface as if tumbling, dexterously leaped between the stones at the bottom of a river without water, and this time, ran up the opposite slope diagonally with great force. As running up, it looked back and saw that the group of samurai who had captured it were still standing with their horses lined up on the far slope. All of them appeared to be small about the size of fingers lined up. In particular, the palomino and the gray (horse), bathed in the setting sun, standing out more clearly in the frosty air than depicted.

The fox turned its head and ran like the wind through the withered silver grass again. Source: https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1214737/1/80

Actually, 利���川[Tone-gawa](The Tone River) flows beyond this colony of Ogi in the photo. In the story it says 枯薄󠄁[Karesusuki](Withered silver grass, Susuki), but when I read this, always imagine the scene with Ogi spread out. Ogi is more appropriate for wide open plains and riverbeds than Susuki(M. sinensis). The two are so similar that it is difficult to distinguish, though. And, Akutagawa would not have made such a fine distinction either.

荻の穂や 頭をつかむ 羅生門

[Ogi no ho ya kashira wo tsukamu rashōmon] As I was passing near Rashōmon, the ears of Ogi grabbed my head. By Matsuo Bashō https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashōmon_no_oni

[partybarty]

I'm sure you have all been wondering, like I have, what species of grass are considered acceptable for grass tennis courts. It appears the type of grass is not mandated, according to Tennis Australia's National Court Surface Policy's description of a grass court is natural grass grown from seed.

Here are some grasses that I propose we make grass courts out of: 1. Blue Fescue Grass – Festuca glauca

2. Windmill Grass – Chloris truncata

3. Snow Grass – Poa sieberiana

4. Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus')

5. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')

6. Pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

[angiec333]

Chinese silver grass, Miscanthus sinensis

[susi-kissa]

庭のススキ

Japanese pampas grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

[the-puffinry]

there's a patch of dead Miscanthus sinensis (eulalia/chinese silver grass/susuki grass) from last year in my garden, and wikipedia tells me it was used to as building material in the past? I can't easily find a lot about it, but I wonder if I could use it to weave something like a straw hat. It isn't enough for much else anyway, but it seems like a fun thing to try-- you have to cut last year's growth every year and it seems like a shame just to throw away!

Well I could compost it of course. But it seems fun to try making something. Does anyone here have tips on how to use it for that? I suppose it wouldn't be very different to work with tha straw, but just in case.

[wiley-treehouse-gardens]

[robertleechestateagents]

A Garden for All Seasons

Many of us, if we’re honest, enjoy a spot of spontaneous plant shopping. And we’re most likely to do this when the weather is good and we want to be outside. As a result, gardens tend to be well stocked with spring and summer flowering herbaceous plants but…come winter, none are in flower and most have dropped their leaves or even died right back to ground level, leaving a rather stark space. You may not be sitting in your garden now but it’s going to be your view for several months so it’s worth planning for.

To solve your naked garden woes, here are my 6 top tips for the Winter Garden.

1) Evergreens – Evergreen shrubs, plants, climbers and trees should form the structure of your garden. Some popular, hardy choices include: yew, bay, climbing jasmine (trachylospermum jasminoides), holly, hebe, photinia and box (but this is currently very prone to disease so try ilex crenata).

2) Grasses – No, not a large clump of pampas (this is not the 70s!) but try one of the many other varieties such as miscanthus sinensis morning light or miscanthus zebrinus and repeat for stunning effect. The grasses reflect light beautifully, move with the wind and create beautiful displays when covered in frost.

3) Red Stems – Some plants are grown especially for the intense colour of their red stems which are revealed when their leaves fall. Some ideas to get you started include the acer palmatum and cornus sanguinea (midwinter fire).

4) Plants with decorative seed heads – Many plants don’t need to be pruned until late Jan / Feb. Their seed heads can create fabulous architectural interest and movement in winter. I’m particularly fond of mop head hydrangeas and verbena bonariensis.

5) Garden Structures – If you invest in beautiful plant supports such as wooden or wrought iron obelisks, rose baskets, lobster pots or arches they will take on a new lease of life when the plants they support die back. Some are quite beautiful sculptures in their own right.

6) Lighting – Naturally you can have great fun with Christmas lights but it may also be worth getting a professional installation of permanent lighting to highlight particular garden features. On short winter days you can enjoy the display from inside your home and on balmy summer evenings you can sit out til late.

So, simply get to know your soil type and garden environment, select structural plants that like these conditions and you’re well on your way to creating a beautiful garden for all seasons.

Laura’s Gardens

For more ideas please visit my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/laurasgardensuk/ or www.laurasgardens.com

Laura’s Gardens is a Reigate garden design service run by Laura Bedell-Pearce. Laura specialises in small garden redesigns, border makeovers and container planting.

Content source: https://www.robertleech.com/a-garden-for-all-seasons/

[nagaino]

[tameblog]

Hi GPODers! We couldn’t avoid it forever. No matter how hard we hold onto fall, winter comes rolling along and for many of us that also means snowfall. Today’s photos come from Tingshu Hu and her husband Philip Zhao in Dunstable, Massachusetts. We’ve seen different aspects of their space during the peak seasons (Tingshu’s Front Garden in Late Summer, Summer in Tingshu’s Back Garden, Low Maintenance Garden in Massachusetts, A Space Created with Chinese Design Elements and English Garden Aesthetics, etc.), but today we’re getting a look at the interest Tingshu has managed to create even when the gardens are coated in a layer of snow. Four season interests, especially winter views, are essential for a home garden in New England, since we have 4+ months of winter, covered in snow and ice. The contrasts of colors and shapes against the white snowy background are still attracting us to go outside and explore the garden in winter. Snow came late this year. We received the first snow on December 5, 2024. Philip took some pictures while it was snowing. The centerpiece of the back garden is the Prairifire crabapple tree (Malus × ‘Prairifire’, Zones 4–8). Several pictures were taken going around the crabapple tree. There are numerous red berries on the crabapple tree, attracting many birds in winter. On the right side is a dwarf Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Glauca’, Zones 2–8), lightly frosted in white snow. You can also see a pergola and garden fences through the tree branches. Looking from below the red crabapple berries, there are blue spruce, yew, azalea, bare branches of a dogwood, and an arbor. Further beyond, there are several pine trees. Looking from below an apple tree, with a bare branch hanging overhead, the crabapple tree, the blue spruce and a false cypress stand on the left. A magnolia tree, a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum and cvs., Zones 6–9) and a few azaleas stand above a stone retaining wall. There is a yew at the bottom of the photo. Looking west with the crabapple on the right, a false cypress stands between a white fence, and a tall purple fence of the vegetable garden. A grape pergola stands at the left side. View of the center of the back garden across a frozen fishpond. On the right side are the leaves of a clumping bamboo and a red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea, Zones 3–7). Curb appeals at the front garden: combination of pergola, fences and evergreens (rhododendron, false cypress and arborvitae), and an eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis and cvs., Zones 4–9) on the left. Outside the fence are a young Japanese maple, a gold cone juniper (Juniperus communis ‘Gold Cone’, Zones 5–7) and a dried maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis, Zones 5–9). Our dog Luke is enjoying the sun after the snow. In front of Luke is a lotus in a mini pond, with dried flower heads and stems. On the left side is a clumping bamboo. The colors of Chinese mums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium, Zones 5–9) are visible from the glass of the green house. The fishpond under the pergola is frozen. All koi fish have been moved to a pond inside the sunroom under the solar panels. Chinese mums looking at the snow-covered front yard. Deep in the winter we may receive heavier snow. Then the garden will have very different looks. Back garden in January 2023, after a heavy snow. Luke went for a walk (Deedee was nearby but not in this picture). Front garden after a heavy snow in a previous winter. The eastern redbud is standing tall and proud, dressed with fluffy snow on its branches. Thank you for another incredible tour of your gardens, Tingshu! Winter interest is acquired with lots of foresight, and it’s clear that you’ve planned and prepared for snow-covered beauty to great success. Have you experienced the first snow fall of the season yet? Or is your garden already covered in a thick layer of ice and snow? Though the more subtle and subdued scenes of winter don’t necessarily have the same vibrant energy as peak season blooms, there is still plenty of interest and plants to admire and appreciate. Consider sharing your winter garden with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit your photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.   Have a garden you’d like to share? Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit! To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden. Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening! 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[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 7 August 2024

A tall deciduous grass Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus ‘Cosmopolitan’ (eulalia) adds arching green leaves with white margins to this border and feathery flowerheads in late autumn.

Jill Raggett