I have a related question about the Miscanthus grasses beginning growth late. I have some 'Silberfeder' grasses that haven't even sarted showing green growth at all. Are they normally very late? Only 2 of them have some green at the outer edges. This is their first year coming back, and they were planted last May. All the other Miscanthus grasses are growing well. My 'Autumn Red' Flame grasses are about 10 inches high now and pretty thick. The 'Huron Sunrise' and 'Blue Wonder' are growing as well.

I grow Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' and it has been hardy for me, it has returned for 8-9 years in a row, and blooms every year in October with its reddish flower heads at about 5 feet tall. I love the fine varigation on the foliage, the vase-shaped form, and its winter presence. It is slower to get going in spring, being a warm season grass, but it has been totally hardy here in zone 4b, south central WI. Plant it in the spring for the best chance of establishing clumps before winter.

Sara----Sarabande---- wonder why you picked that one? Sarabande, and Gracillimus are both very fine leaved, and they seem to be the ones that curl more. The dry conditions, I'm sure, contribute, but it seems some years they just curl. A bigger pot will be better, as it holds water better. Can you plant it in the ground, or will it have to stay in a pot? Miscanthus is hard to kill, don't worry about it, and it should regain the shape you love next year. By the way, check to see if when you water it, if it really is getting a good soaking, or if the water is just running off. I might suggest immersing the plant into about six inches of water for a couple of hours to completely wet the rootball. It will also help if you tease the roots apart a little when you plant it. But they are easy to grow, and will be fine. Enjoy your Sarabande, Sara. Polly

vinny, could you give us a little more information? What did the root ball look like when you took it out of the pot? Was it root bound? Was there much soil or just a lot of roots? I find many grasses purchased at this time of the year have already outgrown their pots. When I plant these I always try to loosen up the root a little bit. Then I soak the root ball in a bucket of water to make sure the whole thing is hydrated. Then I plant it and tend to it a bit like a new tree. Water the planting hole really well as you are planting. Once or twice a week water the plant deeply. Often if the potting mix gets too dried out it is really hard to re-wet properly so, your repeated light waterings may just be watering the lawn & surrounding soil rather than the grass. just a thought & very long winded ...... :o)