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Products > Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'
 
Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' - Porcupine Grass

Note: This plant is no longer in stock. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  
Image of Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Grass
Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses)
Origin: Japan (Asia)
Variegated Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: Copper
Bloomtime: Fall
Height: 4-8 feet
Width: 4-6 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F
Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' (Porcupine Grass) - Large (5-7 feet tall) winter-dormant clumping grass with striking yellow horizontal bands on upright foliage. Banding is most pronounced when plants are grown in full sun and given occasional watering. This plant is often confused with M. sinensis 'Zebrinus' although from our experience 'Strictus' is a superior plant and is more strongly and evenly variegated. It is also more rigidly upright where 'Zebrinus' is lax and flops over. Fall color is a light tan. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-20 degrees F). The name Miscanthus was given to this genus of perennial grasses native to Japan and the Philippines by the 19th century Swedish botanist Nils Johan Andersson. It comes from the Greek words 'miskos' which means "stem" or "stalk" and 'anthos', meaning "flowers" in reference to the seed heads having stalked spikelets. We grew this plant from 1989 until 2008. 

Information displayed on this page about Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.

 
San Marcos Growers closed for regular business at the end of 2025 as the property is being developed for affordable housing.
While our gates remain closed, we will open them by appointment so we can liquidate remaining plants, supplies and equipment. The plants remaining in the field are listed on our Live Inventory Page.
 
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