Content
Miscanthus sugarflower is an ornamental crop widely used in landscape design. The picturesque plant delights others all year round. Under natural conditions, miscanthus is found in the subtropics and tropics. In total, there are more than 40 plant species, some of which can be grown in temperate climates, subject to the rules of planting and wintering.
In Miscanthus sugarflower, the fan-shaped panicles consist of thin, graceful spikelets
Description of Miscanthus sugarflower
Miscanthus sugarflower or fanflower is a herbaceous perennial plant from the grass family. The stems of the bush are smooth and erect. The root is powerful, highly branched, with pointed edges. Green foliage forms a voluminous rosette. The hard plates are visually separated by a white stripe located along the midrib. In autumn, miscanthus foliage turns golden yellow. The inflorescences consist of thin spikelets. The silvery delicate panicles become snow-white as they open.
Height of Miscanthus sugarflower
The ornamental plant grows up to 2 m in height. Elongated leaves are formed on the large stems of the clump.
Winter hardiness of Miscanthus sugarflower
In the first year, the fantail seedling needs good shelter for the winter. To protect against low temperatures, agrotechnical fabric mounted on supports exceeding the height of the curtain is suitable. Another method of shelter is a film formed in the form of a hut. It is important to provide air holes in the side parts so that the plants do not rot. Wooden shields are also installed on top in the form of a hut. In subsequent years, a healthy plant does not need additional protection. It is enough to create a thick layer of peat mulch on the site.
Advantages and disadvantages
Miscanthus sugarflower is one of the fashionable elements of landscape design. Ornamental grasses decorate various areas of the garden plot, giving them a natural appearance.
Tall grasses, which include miscanthus, are used in the landscape to form large masses and backgrounds for other ornamental crops
Pros:
- rapid development and high density of vegetation;
- original type of cereal crop;
- using plants to create separate zones and to camouflage unpresentable buildings on the site;
- low maintenance and environmental safety;
- satisfactory level of winter hardiness while maintaining decorative qualities;
- the use of cereal in bouquet arrangements, including when composing dried flower combinations.
Minuses:
- uncontrolled spread of roots across the site, their ability to overcome a low fence;
- later “waking up” of the plant, as a rule, closer to the second half of May;
- If necessary, it is difficult to eliminate the planting of an adult plant; sharp pruning shears will be needed for cutting;
- old turfs form hummocks protruding from the ground, which can spoil the design of the landscape area.
Landing rules
Fanweed should be planted in the spring, when the soil is well warmed up and the air temperature is above 20 0C. In a temperate climate zone, this time falls at the beginning of May, in the subtropical zone - at the end of March or April. The miscanthus cereal crop belongs to the heat-loving category, and therefore the planting site is selected based on the following criteria:
- it should be a well-sunny corner of the garden;
- it is advisable to provide protection for the curtain from cold wind;
- moist nutrient soil is preferable, ideally the coastal zone.
Miscanthus sugarflower is considered an invasive plant. The ornamental crop has a strong, highly intertwined root system. In this connection, experts recommend thinking in advance about a place for planting miscanthus, taking into account the prospect of its possible spread. Having decided on the zoning of the site, they begin planting miscanthus:
- On the allocated area, mark a circle with a diameter of 1.5 m when planting in the shape of an island, or a strip of 1x2-2.5 m when creating a high green screen.
- Make holes for planting according to the number of seedlings. The size of the recesses should slightly exceed the size of the root system.
- A layer of nutrient soil is formed in the hole.
- A fantail seedling is placed in the center of the planting hole.
- The hole is filled with soil, constantly compacting it so that there are no voids left.
Planted plants are watered abundantly.
Fantail develops well on moderately moist soil
Since the cereal crop aggressively takes over the territory and is able to survive other flowers, it is advisable to create a restriction during planting. Pieces of slate and sheets of iron are suitable for the construction. Restrictors for miscanthus should be dug 20-30 cm deep along the perimeter of the site, avoiding gaps between parts. The “fence” must rise at least 10 cm above the ground so that the roots of the plant do not cross the border.
Miscanthus sugarflower is not picky about soil composition, but the plant does not develop well on sand and heavy clay.
Care instructions
Caring for the fantail in the first 2-3 years should be thorough, since the condition of the adult plant depends on the quality of the procedures carried out during its development. The high decorative value of miscanthus shrubs is the result of agrotechnical measures:
- The crop requires regular, abundant watering, otherwise the seedling dries out quickly.
- In the first two years, the area should be systematically weeded. The strengthened plant grows strongly, so weeds no longer grow under the curtain. Loosening the soil on the site with sugar-flowered miscanthus is not required.
- There is no need to treat the clump with insecticidal agents. Fan grass is highly resistant to insect pests and diseases.
- It is necessary to systematically apply mineral and organic fertilizers. When choosing complexes for feeding adult plants, it is important that the amount of nitrogen in them is moderate. An excess of the element can lead to lodging of the curtain.
In the first year after planting, the plants are not fertilized. The following spring, a nitrogen-containing substance, for example, a urea solution, is added. In the future, miscanthus fertilizer is organized in accordance with the following scheme:
- in June, water the bushes with humates;
- in August, phosphorus-potassium compounds are added to the soil.
A healthy curtain remains decorative throughout the cold season. In spring, the plant moves away faster and throws out young stems with green leaves.
Watering
Miscanthus sugarflower is a moisture-loving plant. Decorative crops require regular and abundant watering. The frequency of irrigation depends on the condition of the soil on the site. If the weather is dry, then the fan is watered daily.
An ideal option for arranging a home landscape is to plant fan grass near an artificial reservoir
Reproduction methods
The easiest way to propagate miscanthus sugarflower is using seedlings. The fact is that the ornamental grass has a long period of active growth. If the seedling is young, then it may not have enough time to adapt and prepare for wintering. Therefore, it is easier to purchase adult specimens in a specialized store.
Growing Miscanthus sweetflower from seeds requires patience. Cereals cultivated in this way reach the desired level of decorativeness 3-4 years after sowing. It is better to plant seeds in peat pots. After the ground warms up in the spring, move the containers to open ground. However, agricultural technicians warn that with the seed propagation method, the varietal characteristics of miscanthus are not preserved.
Miscanthus sugarflower landscape design
Fan miscanthus is most often used as a background for other ornamental crops. Tall cereal grass looks advantageous with plants like gaura, lavender, sedum, awnless brome, fescue, imperata, purple coneflower, hydrangea, phlox and verbena.
The combination of sugar-flowered miscanthus and shrubs with purple leaves, such as some varieties of barberry, looks romantic. A bright duet can be created from planting cereals and black elderberry.
Mono-rows of ornamental plants with fluffy panicles look impressive
Fan grass does not lose its decorative effect even in winter. When exposed, the garden plot becomes not as beautiful as it was during the warm season. In this connection, planting graphics take on special significance. Empty holes are successfully covered with tall bushes of ornamental grasses. Spectacular curtains, even against the backdrop of snowdrifts, create the impression of life with their movement and mysterious rustling under gusts of wind. Properly formed miscanthus bushes maintain density, and their appearance does not suffer from adverse weather factors.
The airy form of miscanthus allows you to add lightness to any landscape composition.
Conclusion
Miscanthus sugarflower, having reached adulthood, requires minimal care. If basic agrotechnical procedures are followed, an ornamental plant can become a remarkable element of a garden plot or park. The fluffy panicle inflorescences of miscanthus will serve as an original addition to the composition of dried flowers.
