Miscanthus, also known by the common name of Eulalia, is a plant that is part of the Poacae family. It is a long-lived species originating from the eastern part of Asia, that is, Korea, China and Japanit can be at least 4 meters high and one meter wide.
They are very popular plants because it is quite decorativeso it can change the look of your garden, thanks to its intense and beautiful foliage. In countries like Japan, a large number of species of Miscanthus They are part of the extensive tradition in garden decoration, in fact, many collectors of British origin brought this plant from China to Europe.
Features
It is a plant that forms a fairly leafy group, its stems remain erect and are over 3 meters highin the glabrous or in its beam it has multiple hairs while its panicles are more or less dense and its shape is very similar to that of a fan and measures between 25 and 40 centimeters long and at least 15 centimeters wide.
Depending on the species they can be brownish, whitish, or purpleof fairly numerous clusters of between 10 to 30 centimeters, all of these with an elongated shape, firmly erect or slightly extended.
Their small spearhead spikes they measure between 4 to 6 millimeters and their edges are surrounded by several very fine 8 millimeter white or purple hairs.
Miscanthus cultivation
These are usually quite rustic plants, they are easy to grow and are also highly resistant to pest attack and some diseases. Their development period is spring festival, and they tolerate lower temperatures very well.
They can be planted in various types of soilswhether stony or organic, however, these plants prefer deeper soils, which are always sufficiently moist and also have good drainage. In general, they do not need fertilizer products. Regarding irrigation, it can be done abundantly or moderately, it all depends on the time of year.
If you place them in an area where they get full sun, this can help their development and thus, its flowering will be more abundant. However, this species of plant belongs to the grass genus, so it can grow in areas where there is partial shade.
Most of the crops they can stay in the same place for 3 years. After this time, the plant achieves the proper diameter of the crown which is very important to start the division of the plant successfully.
The multiplication of these plants can be carried out in two ways. The first is through seedswhich should be cultivated preferably during the spring season and in a specific area to guarantee their good development. The second is done through the division of plants, this process is more effective if it is also done in the spring time.
Care
As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, the Miscanthus They are plants for decorative useso if you want them to always be kept in the best conditions to beautify your garden even more, you must bear in mind that despite being a rustic plant and very resistant to a wide variety of conditions, it is necessary to be attentive to certain care so can develop in a healthy way.
Location
This part is very important, since of this, the good growth of the Miscanthus. The area where you decide to grow this plant should be in full exposure to sunlight or in semi shade, avoiding places with very high temperatures and in turn, not choosing a site where there is full shade since the plant will not grow quickly, which it could bring problems with their development.
It can grow in difficult soils, however, normal would be to plant it in normal soilmaking sure that it has adequate drainage. Clay soils are not the most recommended. To grow in a definitive place, you must bear in mind that the ideal is to carry out this action during the spring season or at the latest in autumn.
Irrigation should be done moderately, despite the fact that they tolerate dry seasons quite well, you should prevent the soil from drying out completelyas it could have consequences for the plant. During the hottest seasons, you should slightly increase the amount of water you use to irrigate this species, this because soils tend to dry out more quickly.
Composting is not very necessary, however, you can use a mineral fertilizer and apply it on the plant at least once a week, especially in the fall seasons and also during the summer.
Plagues and diseases
These types of plants are very resistant to most of the pests and diseases that usually attack them, however, you should be attentive to aphids and above all, to Red spider mites attack, as they are harmful to the plant.
Uses
This species of grasses are highly appreciated in various countries of the world due to their great decorative value. The vast majority are used to completely modify the landscape. Besides, it is not a totally static plant, being made up of a large group, it is capable of adding a lot of movement especially in times when the breeze is more intense and its elongated branches which are attached to a central axis acquire the shape of a fan, making the whole garden stay illuminated.
All this natural beauty remains all year round, even during the winter season, this is one of the reasons why are considered the best ornamental plants to beautify the gardens.
During the autumn, the foliage of most of these crops, turns to a reddish color that also, can be coppery or orangewhich makes her a great seasonal figure. On the other hand, in the winter time they tend to dry completely, making the colors even lighter without losing their decorative value, these plants always remain erect while their spikes do not separate at any time.
Depending on the type, the spike that the flower has can acquire a white color and almost silver, down to a silvery reddish hue. Normally, the flowers usually appear in almost all the varieties of this plant during the months of August and also September.
However, this majestic display of beauties is maintained even in the winter season, as the flower stalks, which remain erect in autumn, they take on a pretty eye-catching lookregardless of whether they are covered with snow so without a doubt with this plant in your garden you can be the envy of all your neighbors at any time of the year.
