Plant Guide

Other Names:  Large Fountain Maiden Grass, Japanese Silver Grass

Description:

This variety produces a dense, upright, vase shaped clump of finely textured foliage; a profusion of feathery bronze plumes rise above in fall, and produce stunning silvery-white seedheads; great winter interest

Ornamental Features

Grosse Fontaine Maiden Grass features bold plumes of silver flowers with purple overtones rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. Its attractive grassy leaves are green in colour. The foliage often turns tan in fall. The white seed heads are carried on showy plumes with silver overtones, which are displayed in abundance from early fall to mid winter.

Landscape Attributes

Grosse Fontaine Maiden Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an indistinguished habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Grosse Fontaine Maiden Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Grosse Fontaine Maiden Grass will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.