Miscanthus Sinensis ‘Strictus’ | Upright Striped Ornamental Grass
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’, commonly known as Chinese Silver Grass or Porcupine Grass, is one of the more distinctive cultivars of Chinese silver grass. It forms a strong, upright clump of green leaves marked by characteristic horizontal yellow-golden bands.
The combination of the rigid upright growth and striped foliage gives ‘Strictus’ an almost architectural appearance. Once established, it becomes a substantial garden plant and provides excellent vertical structure on a balcony, terrace or in a perennial border.
Unlike many tender ornamental plants, Miscanthus sinensis is a genuinely hardy perennial and is well suited to the climate of Central Europe.
Why This Plant Stands Out
• Distinctive horizontal yellow-golden leaf bands
• Strong, upright growth habit
• Forms a substantial perennial clump with age
• Attractive movement in the wind
• Silvery-pink to reddish flower plumes in late summer/autumn
• Excellent architectural plant for gardens and terraces
• Hardy in Central European climates
• Suitable for large containers
• Attractive throughout the growing season
• Particularly interesting for lovers of grasses and unusual foliage
Plant Characteristics
Botanical name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’
Common names: Chinese Silver Grass, Porcupine Grass
Family: Poaceae
Plant type: Deciduous, clump-forming perennial grass
Origin of species: East Asia, particularly China, Japan and Korea
Growth habit: Strongly upright and clump-forming
Height: Approximately 1.5–2 m, potentially more with age and favourable conditions
Foliage: Green leaves with distinctive horizontal yellow-golden bands
Flowers: Silvery-pink to reddish plumes, gradually becoming silvery
Flowering period: Usually late summer to autumn
Light: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy perennial suitable for Central European gardens
Use: Garden, balcony, terrace, large container, perennial border and architectural planting
What makes ‘Strictus’ different?
The foliage is the real attraction of this cultivar.
The leaves carry horizontal bands that give the plant its characteristic striped appearance. The pattern can vary naturally from leaf to leaf and is not perfectly uniform – which is precisely what gives an established clump its natural appearance.
‘Strictus’ is sometimes confused with Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’. Both have horizontally banded foliage, but ‘Strictus’ is generally recognised by its more rigid, upright habit. ‘Zebrinus’ tends to arch more strongly as it matures.
The effect becomes particularly beautiful when the leaves move in the wind and the golden markings catch the light.
Location & Care
Light
Choose a sunny position. Full sun produces the strongest growth and generally gives the best foliage colour and flowering.
Watering
During the growing season, provide regular water, particularly during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather.
Newly planted specimens require more consistent watering until they have established a good root system.
Once established, Miscanthus is considerably more tolerant of short dry periods.
Avoid permanently waterlogged soil.
Soil
A fertile but permeable soil is ideal.
Good drainage is particularly important when the plant is grown in a container.
Summer
This is an excellent plant for a sunny balcony or garden terrace.
The plants offered by TOMs FLOWer CLUB are already organically cultivated, planted in organic soil and supplied in a new clay pot.
They therefore arrive as a finished plant rather than as something that immediately needs to be repotted.
Simply choose a suitable sunny position on your balcony, terrace or in your garden.
Winter
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ is a hardy perennial.
The above-ground foliage naturally dies back during winter. I recommend leaving the dry foliage standing through winter, where it provides structure and some protection to the crown.
Cut the old foliage back close to the ground in late winter or early spring, shortly before the new shoots emerge.
There is no need to cut the plant back in autumn.
A note about its size
Miscanthus is a plant that becomes more impressive with age.
A young plant may initially appear relatively modest, but once established it gradually develops a much larger and denser clump. Given sufficient space, sunlight, water and nutrients, mature plants can reach around 1.5–2 metres or more.
This is therefore not a small decorative grass that will remain miniature in a pot.
Cultivated at TOMs FLOWer CLUB
The plants offered at TOMs FLOWer CLUB are organically grown and not pushed with excessive fertilisation.
They are cultivated in permeable organic soil and planted into a new clay pot, allowing the plant to establish itself in a suitable growing environment from the beginning.
My approach is simple:
100% organic quality before quantity.
The aim is a healthy, naturally developed plant with a strong root system rather than artificially accelerated growth.
Ready for Your Balcony or Garden Terrace
The plants are supplied already potted and established.
You can therefore place your new Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ directly on your sunny balcony, garden terrace or in the garden.
For container cultivation, remember that this is ultimately a substantial perennial grass. A sufficiently large and stable container will become increasingly important as the plant develops.
What You Receive
You receive the Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ plant of the displayed size, organically cultivated, planted in organic soil and supplied in a new clay pot. Only for pick up at TOMs FLOWer CLUB in Adliswil / ZH-CH.
The exact appearance of the foliage, height and density can naturally vary as the plant continues to grow.
What you are buying is not a short-lived seasonal decoration, but a hardy perennial that can accompany you for many years and become increasingly impressive with age.
A particularly good choice if you like plants with strong structure, unusual foliage and a natural presence.
Enjoy your new Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’!
TOMs FLOWer CLUB - 100% organic quality before quantity.
