Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass)

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Miscanthus, Genus, sinensis, Species, 'Zebrinus', Cultivar,

Genus & species
Cultivar

zebra grass

Poaceae

E Asia (species: Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan); 'Zebrinus' introduced to Western cultivation 1870s from Japan

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' is a large deciduous clump-forming ornamental grass reaching 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) tall with a spread of 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) and a vase-shaped habit that arches outward and often splays at the base. This is the original banded Miscanthus cultivar and has been in Western horticultural cultivation since the 1870s. Leaves are 0.5–0.8 inches (13–20 mm) wide and carry horizontal golden-yellow bands across the green leaf blades—the cross-banding pattern develops in warm weather beginning in June and is absent from early-season spring growth. Coppery-pink flower plumes emerge in September through October and age to silvery-white through winter. Foliage turns golden-tan in autumn. Growth rate is fast. Hardy to zone 5. The arching lax habit tends to splay outward, particularly after rain events or in rich soil positions. A related cultivar 'Strictus' (porcupine grass) carries the same horizontal banding pattern on a more stiffly upright habit that does not splay.

Native Range

Miscanthus sinensis is native to eastern Asia, ranging across Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan in open grasslands, meadows, and forest margins. 'Zebrinus' was introduced to Western horticulture from Japanese nursery stock in the 1870s and is the oldest banded Miscanthus in continuous cultivation in Europe and North America. Modern cultivation of ornamental Miscanthus in Western horticulture traces its origin to the Victorian-era introduction of 'Zebrinus' and a small number of related early cultivars.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen or screen at 4–6 foot (1.2–1.8 m) spacing in zone-5-and-warmer gardens. Horizontal banding runs visible from mid-summer through autumn and carries the cultivar's primary ornamental character. The arching habit splays outward after rain events and in rich-soil positions—spacing of at least 4–6 feet from adjacent plantings reduces splaying onto neighboring specimens and allows the mature form to extend without crowding. Gardeners wanting the same banded foliage on a more upright habit can substitute 'Strictus'; gardeners working in compact garden positions can substitute 'Gold Bar', which carries the same banding at roughly half the mature size. The cultivar can self-seed in mild climates where M. sinensis escapes garden cultivation. Narrow positions, shade, and regions where M. sinensis is invasive are poor fits for the cultivar.

How to Identify

Separated from 'Strictus' (porcupine grass) by the arching lax habit that splays outward at maturity—'Strictus' holds a stiffly upright form without splaying and carries the same horizontal banding pattern. Separated from 'Gold Bar' by the much larger mature size (6–8 feet versus 3–5 feet for 'Gold Bar') and by the wider leaf blades. Separated from 'Cabaret' and 'Cosmopolitan' by the horizontal cross-banding pattern on the leaves (versus the longitudinal white-and-green striping running along the leaf length on those cultivars). A large Miscanthus with horizontal golden-yellow bands on green leaves plus a lax arching habit identifies this cultivar as the original banded Miscanthus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 8'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Fall

Coppery-pink flower plumes emerge in September through October and age progressively to silvery-white across the autumn and winter months. Plumes persist through winter on the standing foliage. Active fresh bloom duration is 4–6 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Coppery-pink plumes aging to silvery-white; September-October

Foliage Description

Green with horizontal golden-yellow bands; 0.5-0.8 inch wide; banding develops June onward; golden-tan autumn color

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5 (Acidic to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

loam clay sand silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun in well-drained soil of moderate to lean fertility (pH 5.5–7.5) matches the cultivar's cultivation needs. Hardy to zone 5 (−20°F / −29°C). Full sun positions combined with lean soil help maintain a more-upright habit and reduce the cultivar's tendency to splay at maturity; rich soil and partial-shade positions increase splaying across the growing season. Growth rate runs fast. Drought tolerance develops after first-year establishment. Cutback occurs in late winter. The lax habit on mature clumps may require staking rings or garden-grade cage supports in exposed positions to prevent full collapse after summer rainstorms.

Pruning

All stems are cut to 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) above ground level in late February through early March each year. Dried foliage is left standing through winter for structural ornamental interest and cut back only once the coldest weather passes and before new spring growth begins to push from the crown.

Pruning Schedule

early spring