Porcupine Grass

Sheridan Nurseries Ltd.

$49.99
Title

Add a bold, graphic punch to your landscape with the "Porcupine Grass." This show-stopper is celebrated for its rigid, skyward-reaching blades that are uniquely "painted" with horizontal bands of bright, buttery yellow. Unlike other variegated grasses that weep or flop, 'Strictus' maintains a crisp, columnar silhouette that looks like a burst of sunshine in the garden. In late summer, it is crowned by feathery, reddish-bronze plumes that catch the light and sway elegantly in the autumn breeze.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

9' H x 6' W

Zone:

5-9

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Moderate - Fast

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Porcupine Grass, Maiden Grass, Eulalia, Chinese Silver Grass

Scientific Name:

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'

Type:

Ornamental Perennial Grass

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically 6–9 feet tall (with plumes) and 3–6 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit/Form: Rigidly upright and columnar; non-flopping.
  • Growth Rate: Medium to Fast once the weather warms in early summer.
  • Longevity: Can live 15–20 years or more with division every 5–7 years.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full Sun (> 6 hours) is preferred; can tolerate light shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained loamy soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable to clay, sandy soils, and varied pH levels; tolerates urban pollution.
  • Watering: Requires regular watering during the first season to establish; once established, it is surprisingly drought-tolerant.

Special Features:

Highly Deer and Rabbit Resistant. Salt-tolerant and resistant to urban pollution.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom: Reddish-bronze plumes in late summer/early fall, maturing to shimmering silver.
  • Fall Colour: Foliage turns a golden-tan or reddish-tan after frost.
  • Winter Interest: The dried stalks and silvery seed heads persist through winter, providing beautiful architectural texture in the snow.

Garden Value:

A powerful vertical accent for borders, privacy screens, or modern "prairie-style" designs. Its salt tolerance makes it a great choice for coastal gardens.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Attracts birds, who use the stalks for cover and nesting material.
  • Human Value: Excellent for privacy screening; flower plumes are highly valued for fresh or dried floral arrangements.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time: Spring is ideal to give it a full season to establish.
  • Spacing: Space 3–4 feet apart for a massed look or screening.
  • Location Tips: Best used in areas with good air circulation; can be planted near water features or in rain gardens.

Care:

  • Light: Needs full sun to maintain its rigid form and vibrant yellow banding.
  • Moisture: Keep evenly moist; though adaptable, it performs best when it doesn't dry out completely.
  • Maintenance: Cut the entire clump back to about 3–6 inches above the ground in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins.

Tolerances:

Drought, Salt, Black Walnut, Urban Conditions, and Erosion.

Tips For Success:

Leave the foliage standing all winter to protect the crown and provide visual interest. Cut back only when you see the very first green shoots in spring.

Fruit Profile