Japanese silver grass is the most useful ornamental grass for the cutting garden — tall, arching, with showy silver-pink plumes that emerge in late summer and last through winter, aging from pink to ivory to parchment as the season progresses. A mature clump in full late-afternoon sun, with the plumes backlit, is among the most beautiful sights in the autumn garden.
Cut plumes when fully expanded for fresh use; for dried, wait until they are fully mature and fluffy. Leave the clumps standing through winter; cut back hard to the ground in late winter before new growth begins. Divide every 3–5 years in spring to prevent hollow centres.
Miscanthus Rust
Orange to reddish-brown pustules on leaf undersides and yellowing or streaking on upper leaf surfaces, most common in cool, wet conditions.
Improve air circulation by thinning and spacing clumps. Avoid overhead watering. Remove and dispose of infected foliage. Apply a fungicide labeled for rust if infection is severe.
Miscanthus Blight
Tan to brown lesions with darker margins on leaf blades and sheaths, sometimes causing leaf dieback and reduced vigor.
Cut and remove affected foliage. Reduce leaf wetness by watering at the base. Divide dense clumps to improve airflow. Clean up and discard debris at season's end.