Miscanthus sinensis Little Kitten (Chinese Silver Grass)

Extremely compact, Chinese Silver Grass 'Little Kitten' (Miscanthus sinensis) is perfect for small gardens. Its fine-textured foliage, which consists of arching, narrow green leaves, turns to golden brown shades in the fall, and creates an exquisite fountain shape that stands out beautifully and sways gracefully in the slightest breeze. Graceful, pink- or red- flushed, silvery, creamy white flower plumes emerge in late summer that will delicately change to pale brown as they mature and provide a delightful winter interest. A very rewarding ornamental grass!

  • Deciduous, this Chinese Silver Grass can be easily grown in a dense, upright clump up to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Protect from excessive winter wet. Drought and salt tolerant once established.
  • Very versatile, it can be used as a graceful accent plant in the garden, massed to create screens or hedges, planted in borders, coastal gardens, city gardens, cottage gardens or prairie plantings.
  • This Chinese Silver Grass is generally pest and disease free. It is deer and rabbit resistant but attracts birds.
  • Cut foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring.
  • Native to Asia, the species form of Miscanthus sinensis is invasive in several US states. The invasive potential is of less concern for many of its ornamental cultivars, some of which are sterile. However, as a general rule, do not plant more than one cultivar on your property, and use only a vegetatively propagated cultivar that has shown little or no evidence of self-seeding in your area.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Miscanthus – Maiden Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)FallWinter
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 18″
– 24″
(45cm
– 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Modern Garden, Prairie and Meadow