Hi, I have lots of zebra grass that I can split for you when the seaon is done, once I put my beds to rest-probably end of September/early October-if you work on your trade list I'd be happy to swap for something I'd want, mostly hostas but I'm also into hydrangeas, hibiscus, peonies, lilies, cannas(white,yellow orange or tropical), black elephant ears, brugmanzias, passion flowers and more- I have both full sun beds and shade areas. Let me know if still interested. Kim

zebra grass is considered a warm season grass. this means that its active growth period ( and root establishment)takes place from spring thru mid summer. after that we go into fall... the period that all miscanthus grasses go into dormancy... late summer is still considered early fall. so when you transplanted your grass in late summer you limited the time it had to put down well established roots to help it make it thru the winter...there is a 50/50 chance of your grass making it when planted/transplanted that late in the season. also for the first winter you should mulch it with branches or something substantial for added protection. i lost my first zebra grass for the same reason... along with about 7 out of 10 grasses planted in the fall. that REALLY irritated me lol so thats when i researched grasses thoroughly and learned about cool and warm season grasses. i have no trouble now as i know when to plant/divide/transplant the various grasses. Sue "The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

First, we can't tell if your soil is "too acidic." It isn't likely, but do a pH test to be sure. I wouldn't backfill with store-bought topsoil. Buy some good compost and mix it with your native soil, about 25% compost and 75% native. You can plant them now, but I wouldn't put all 25 of them in that trench. They'll be too close together in just a couple of years, and you won't have any to substitute in for failed plants. Plant some in the trench, at least 3-4 feet apart, and plant the rest somewhere else, so you can move them in to fill in for dead plants. "A few hours of sunlight I hope" isn't enough for this plant in your zone. It will grow adequately in part shade in warmer zones, but you are at the bottom of its hardiness zone range. It will probably not achieve the heights and upright stature it's known for. It may not flower, and may flop over. Using ornamental grasses as a hedge or wall is not really practical in your zone. The taller warm season grasses need to be cut down to the ground every year in late winter to early spring, and they don't grow back to full height until mid-summer. You'll only get half a year of hedge/wall at best, and that's using a grass which is appropriate.

Jeanie, what about using Ultra-Kill Weed and Grass Killer? 25% glypsophate. It's safe to use in flower beds and does not leach into other things. You just obviously need to be really careful that the spray does not hit anything else. It does not specifically list zebra grass, but the list is very long and says 'and many others'. It's safe to replant 24 hours after the plant has been removed. (I have to relate what happened to my daughter and a huge formal garden of azaleas. Her husband got some commercial grade blackberry killer and then sprayed those big azaleas with it!! His reasoning was that it would only kill blackberries. It was a disaster!!! Luckily he did not spray the red threadleaf Japanese maple also. He might have been living in the doghouse. As it was, it was touch-and-go for a while.) How are you doing with the biting gnats?? I've been thinking of you and wondering how you're faring. Pat