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.

polly-----I'm a newer to Miscanthus,I just have the three Miscanthus,oh....I still have Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'.But morniglight had heavy disease this year with dark red speckles,then the two whole clumps of morning light nearly dried up although they flowered on time.I have read a research "Establishing Miscanthus sinensis from seed using conventional sowing methods" written by D.G Christian,N.E. Yates,A.B.Riche,on Industrial Crops and Products 21(2005)109-111.They conclude that Miscanthus sinensis plants from seeds produced from uncontrolled free pollinaton ,rusults in a plant population with wide morphological diversity and sowing Miscanthus seed in the field as energy crop is feasible,but still need further research.As the varieties,all varieties in China now (all in trade)almost inputed from America or Australia etc,Ornamental grasses is a new concept in China,they were wild and looked as energy crop previously.:) But---donn,----the article also said that the seeds of Miscanthus giganteus is sterile and multiplication requires vegetative propagation or tissue culture.The same conlusion also see "Propagation method as an important factor in the growth and development of Miscanthus giganteus" from Industrial Crops and Products.1998,8,229-245.by Lewandowski.which is right?Greenlee or ?.........

Miscanthus "Giganteus" is also sold under the names Miscanthus floridulus and Miscanthus japonica. And yes seed from many grasses are not fertile. However you most likely wont find seed for this under any of these names as ornamental grass seed even if it is fertile as seed is only available commercially if it is stable and will come true from seed. ( this is also true for perennials etc ) Some of the newer cultivars mentioned above as doing so may be so new to the market that the seed companies havent tested them yet for stability and marketing... or there may be very minor variances in the seedlings such as a 2 week later/earlier bloom time, a slightly different coloring to the plumes or it 6 inches shorter/taller in height etc. These minor differences may not even be recognizable to experienced gardeners as we all know that plants/grasses etc can thrive but grow quite differently in different conditions - more shade, wetter soils, the PH in your soil, if you use fertilizer etc. Your best bet would be to buy some or trade someone for it. Sue "The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

I bought Rosie because of BenT's photos, also a photo posted by Judy's Pretty Petals on IG. Now, if she would just grow. She's coming back from winter kill this year, so the poor thing has had a rough life. The blooms, here, have been an orangey, pinkish blend, so maybe not the vibrancy you're looking for, Kristine. Crazy Love is similar, but more orange.