Miscanthus oligostachyus 'Afrika'

RHS Plant Profile
small Japanese silver grass 'Afrika'
small Japanese silver grass 'Afrika' RHS

Synonyms

Miscanthus sinensis 'Afrika'

Grass Like

A clump-forming perennial grass with olive-green leaves, up to 1.3m high, which start to turn orange and red in summer and become more intensely red by late autumn, and stems up to 1.5m high of dark brown-red flowers in late summer and autumn which which remain attractive as fluffy brown seedheads in winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Miscanthus can be deciduous or evergreen grasses with tufted or spreading habit, erect stems bearing arching, linear leaves and terminal panicles of silky spikelets in late summer or autumn
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will tolerate most conditions, but grows best in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or early summer, before re-growth starts

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Banks and slopes
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down dead leaves and old flowered stems to just above ground level in late winter or early spring; cut stems can be left around the plants as a mulch

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free