Maiden Grass

Maiden grass is part of an ornamental plant family that features graceful arching stems and a clumping habit. Many people add these grasses for some color and texture in the late summer and fall.

This tall ornamental is prized for that graceful arching form. However, this grass has other desirable features, including reddish flower heads that transform into a silvery tone for the winter. When the grass produces flowers, the plant reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet. This grass features sword-like leaves. The silver-green foliage sways in your garden with a slight breeze. By autumn, the leaves yellow into a light beige after the first frost. In some maiden grass varieties, the fall foliage ranges from a bronze color to a beige. When the color has faded, the texture continues to provide winter interest for your landscapes.

Since maiden grass is a tall plant, you can use it in the back row of a flower bed. With its light color, it can make those dark-colored plants and flowers stand out. You might also want to plant this maiden grass as the main focal point of your landscape. For some added interest, make sure to surround the maiden grass with smaller plants. The fine texture of this grass is the perfect contrast to those areas filled with coarse shrubs and flowers.

If you have a pond, maiden grass can make its home near the water. It can also add more texture to plain outdoor areas. Maiden grass has a dense growth pattern, and it is an ideal plant for a mixed shrub border or an informal privacy screen. You might want to add a few of these grasses to create an ornamental grass hedge. Any cottage gardens can benefit from the addition of the airy maiden grass.

Maiden grass has a regal appearance, and it provides an elegant touch to your front door or driveway. In container gardens, this ornamental grass can excel in those unique spaces. You can place it on a patio to add some color and texture to those areas. Finally, maiden grass is an exceptional choice as a specimen plant to provide some winter interest for a barren landscape.

Maiden grass is a low-maintenance plant, and it is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. There are numerous maiden grass varieties with various foliage colors and sizes. However, the typical maiden grass usually grows to 6 feet tall. It will thrive in areas with full sunshine and evenly moist soil. Maiden grass is very tolerant of clay soils, but it will have the best results in well-draining locations. Once this ornamental grass has established, it becomes tolerant of droughts.

You don’t need to worry about these ornamental grasses. The plants are not known to have issues with diseases or pests, except rust. If you want to prevent that problem, you should water the plant from under the foliage and allow the leaves time to dry.

Maiden grass does need plenty of room to grow. You should divide the plants every few years to manage the clumps. The foliage can be cut down to the ground in the late winter to allow room for new shoots. You might want to leave the old stalks in your landscape for winter interest. They will also provide mulch and protection for the plant during the winter season.

This stately ornamental grass makes a stunning impression throughout your landscape. In the summer, you will enjoy the reddish plumes and dark green foliage of this native grass. The foliage transforms into a glowing gold by late autumn. Even in the winter, this maiden grass continues to delight with its delicate texture and beige colors. You definitely want to bring some maiden grass home to your business or clients. If you are ready to add maiden grass to your inventory, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.