Gracillimus Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus')
mis-KAN-thus sih-NEN-sis 'Gracillimus'

Deciduous Perennial Vase-Shaped, Arching in the Poaceae Family
Gracillimus Maiden Grass features fine-textured foliage and a rounded form, adding elegance to any landscape. In fall, it showcases stunning golden yellow hues and striking copper-red flowers, creating a vibrant display.
Miscanthus sinensis is a warm-season ornamental grass native to East Asia, grown throughout North America for its dense, upright-to-arching clumps of narrow leaves and the showy, silky plumes that rise above the foliage from late summer into fall. Plume color ranges from coppery pink to silvery white across the many named selections sold under this species, and the dried plumes and tan winter foliage carry real seasonal interest well into the cold months. Individual cultivars vary considerably in size, variegation, bloom timing, and -- notably -- seed fertility; several of the newer selections in this catalog were specifically bred to set little or no viable seed, reducing the self-seeding that has made some older, fertile selections invasive in parts of the southeastern United States.

Pros

  • Fine, graceful, weeping foliage texture
  • Reliable copper-red fall plumes
  • Long-cultivated, widely available classic

Cons

  • Needs significant room to reach full size
  • Older clumps can flop without support
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 8 feet tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 5a - 9b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Wildlife, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fall Color, Fall interest, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Dried Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Grasses, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Asia, Native to Asia, Normal Soil, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Hot Dry Site, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest Large Perennials, Ornamental Grass, White Flowering Perennials
Bloom Period October
Flower Color Copper Maturing To Red
Foliage Color
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Green Mountain Boxwood, Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, Daub's Frosted Juniper, Prairie Dropseed, Everlow Yew,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!