Chinese Silver Grass "Morning Light' Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

''Morning Light' is a Eulalia grass cultivar that has a fine texture and may be deciduous or evergreen depending on the climate. It has a spreading habit of dense clumps and erect stems with arching linear leaves. The foliage has very narrow green leaves with white bands along each margin. It grows upright from 3 to 6 feet tall and spreads 2.5 to 3 feet in a rounded clump of foliage. In mid to late September, it produces tiny reddish-copper blooms on terminal panicles above the foliage. Gradually as the seeds mature, the blooms become fluffy cream or silvery white on the 8 to 10-inch plumes. The flower plumes persist through the winter and add interest to the landscape. Foliage during the fall becomes a straw beige. 'Morning Light' is a somewhat smaller, more fine-textured version of the popular M. s. 'Gracillimus.' The narrow, green leaves with three white stripes produce a shimmering or silver effect.   

 This plant was introduced in 1976 by the United States National Arboretum by a Japanese plant specialist, Masato Yokoi. The species is native to China, and the species form has become invasive in the southeastern United States. The cultivar, 'Morning Light,' does not produce viable seeds; therefore, its potential for invasiveness is significantly less.

The genus name, Miscanthus, is derived from the Greek word, miskos, which means stem, and anthos, meaning flower. The specific epithet, sinensis, means from China.

This plant prefers full sun, is tolerant of heat and drought tolerant once established, and adapts to most well-drained soils. It needs to be protected from excessive wetness during the winter months. The 'Morning Light' rhizomes grow slowly, maintaining a clump shape, and the plant is low maintenance. To protect the crowns of the plant, foliage and stems should not be cut back until late winter or early spring.  Since it is a warm-season type of grass, transplanting is also best done in the spring. Division of the plant may be difficult after several years of growth.

'Morning Light' may be used as an accent, specimen, or in small groups. Consider this ornamental grass along flower borders, cottage gardens, or naturalized areas for its unique fall and winter interest. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Fall and Winter        Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• warm-season clumping grass up to 3 to 6 feet tall and spreads 2.5 to 3 feet wide
• foliage up to 36 inches long, linear to lanceolate, green with white bands along each margin
• reddish-copper blooms on terminal panicles above the foliage in the fall
• blooms become fluffy cream to silvery white on 8 to 10 plumes as the seeds mature

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 'Morning Light' is usually insect and disease free. Potential insect pests may include, mealybugs, which can stunt the plant's growth, and diseases include blight and leaf rust.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Miscanthus sinensis.