Miscanthus x giganteus - Elephant Grass - Rhizomes

Description

• Poaceae
• Asia
• H 4 m x L 1 m
• Z4
• Perennial
• non-sucker, not invasive
• Synonym : Giant Miscanthus, Giant Eulalia, Elephant grass, Miscanthus giganteus
• 4 rhizomes shipped during the resting period only ( = February ; you can place an order all year round )

Details

Miscanthus x giganteus is a sterile triploid hybrid resulting from a natural crossing between Miscanthus sinensis (diploid) and Miscanthus sacchariflorus (tetraploid).

Elephant Grass is a remarkable ornamental grass, used to quickly produce hedges of 3 to 4 m in height that will become dense and impenetrable after a few years, or in isolated clumps in the center of an open space.

Giant Miscanthus is not invasive : Unlike Bamboo, it does not sucker, and it does not spread by seeds like Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass) since it is sterile. It will stay where you planted it. The clumps can remain in place for up to 25 years without requiring regeneration.

The juice of the young shoot has medicinal properties: anticoagulants, diuretics, and antipyretic.

The leaves and Inflorescences of Giant Miscanthus can be used as a source of a fast yellow dye.

Since the plant traps atmospheric carbon very efficiently (C4 photosynthesis), it is used as a source of biomass and cultivated on an industrial scale to produce biofuel.

Plant the rhizomes of Miscanthus x giganteus in February and March 20-30 cm apart and 5-10 cm deep, horizontaly with their roots downward, in a well prepared ground at full sun exposure. Young shoots will emerge by the end of april-beginning of may. Water regularly if the soil gets dry the first few months and during summer on the planting year. Established plants do not need any care, starting on their second year.

In March, cut all the stems 20cm above the ground. You can use them as stakes for the season, for crafts, as mulch, or as fuel, for example.