I bought a one gallon "Adagio" maidenhair ornamental grass last April and planted it immediately in a good sunny spot with good drainage. The problem is that it has not changed its overall size at all since planting day. I thought it needed a season to get going but am wondering if it's dead and how I would know.
Its leaves were straw colored all winter, with maximum leaf length about 2 inches. Like everyone, our winter was super cold. Did that affect it? I trimmed the straw colored leaves back last week thinking it was sending energy to them instead of putting out new growth but nothing has changed. There is a single green strand of grass coming out the middle but nowhere else. How can I tell if this plant is alive or should it be replaced?
Thank you for your help!
The grass blades that are brown are dead - the plant is not sending any energy into them. If there is some green coming up, that's the live part, so the plant might make it, if you can be patient. I'm curious, however, about your description of the leaves as being 2"; miscanthus 'adagio' has a length of 3 - 4'. Are you sure you have what you think you have? You might want to discuss the situation with the store you purchase it from.
During the growing season, the outer arching stems can seriously flop, opening the center of the plant. This is especially true for maiden grass planted in partial shade. Trimming off blades growing higher on the stem can help stop the plant from arching over onto nearby plants, while maintaining a natural look. In climates where the plant isn't hit by frost, control its size by cutting miscanthus back by half or more in midsummer to control its size and freshen its look, if necessary.
Hi wanting to plant a centre piece that changes in seasons but windy position?
I looked up your weather and while it doesn't look like the island freezes during the winter, it doesn't get very warm in the summer. Rather a mild climate.
Grasses such as maidengrass offer four seasons of interest. Viburnums and hydrangeas also offer multi season interest.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/maiden-grass/growing-maiden-grass.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/viburnum/growing-dwarf-viburnums.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/growing-hydrangeas-hydrangea-care-guide.htm