Miscanthus sinensis ('Far East') 'FERNER OSTEN' eulalia, maiden grass

Ferner Osten is a German expression for Far East and a variety name of this maiden grass. It is popular for shorter growth and attractive colours. Its leaves are narrow, medium green in summer, and coppery orange and red in autumn. In late August rise about 1.5m tall stems with almost maroon flowers. As they mature they open into fluffy, cotton-like, silvery plumes that look great left on the plant over winter when the whole clump is pruned back.

Eulalia is best grown in sunny and warm areas, in almost any well-drained soil with only occasional watering in summer. It hates boggy soil quite surprisingly copes well with heavy clay unless its roots stand in water before they establish. It is recommended to tie up the leaves before winter and cut the clump back in early spring, about 10-20 cm above ground level. Hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update: 14-04-2022