Though less often seen in garden centres Miscanthus nepalensis is a treasure to be sought after and cherished. Evocatively named, Himalayan Fairy Grass, this is a far from common ornamental grass and if treated with respect grows well in many UK gardens.
Specimen One
Here in a neighbour’s well tended garden Miscanthus nepalensis looks regal in a 50 litre pot filled with free draining loam based compost. In fact, there are matching pair of them basking in the late afternoon sunlight. Clearly, the sunny sheltered terrace in their rose garden suits this grass, hence the breathtaking display. Erigeron karvinskiansus, with its charming pink-white daisy sets the grass off and gives the owners something pretty to look at while they wait for the grass to flower, here this happens in late summer. The sympathetic combination is also interesting, as potentially both might be seen off by prolonged wet winters and yet they have thrived left outside over winter for four years. Perhaps, life in a capacious pot suits them better than our South Gloucestershire heavy clay that is slow to warm in spring?
Specimen Two
Once upon a time, the plant lost in the melee above was an equally fine example. I should have known better than to move it from where it was happy in a sunny raised bed by the front door. In 2011 as I pored over the structural plan of the front garden, I could see that the beautiful bronze-gilt tassels would overhang the new path. My nepalensis has never been quite the same since. Every year it has been moved : first left to languish in a chilly spot in the orchard, then potted up to recover in the nursery, then potted on to hold its own in the display of summer patio pots and, now, is ground planted again. The biggest problem is the proximity of a neighbouring geranium (permanent resident) combined with the unwanted attentions of a persicaria seedling (whimsical addition to ‘fill space’ in early summer). At best the result is a pretty mixture, at worst this is a sad mistreatment of a good plant by someone who should know better.
What I should know better …
The question of hardiness often crops up with nepalensis, with some experts claiming that there is more than one form of this highly desirable plant, moreover, that some are hardier than others. I have bought good forms of this plant from both Knoll Gardens in Wimborne, and, Pan Global Plants, although regional plant hunter Nick Macer doesn’t currently list it in his online catalogue.
Crug Farm image : ‘Shikola’
Crug Farm Plants specialises in rare or unusual plants, the nursery is near Caernafon in North Wales. The RHS accepted named form “Shikola” is listed in the online catalogue sounds rather special for “its compact habit, purple-bronze tinted foliage combined with pink flushed inflorescences”. The owners Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones collected it in West Bengal in 1994 and although slow to establish eventually it’s made a handsome clump. ‘Shikola’ is supplied as a 5 litre plant with the thrillingly vicarious addition of a collection number, BSWJ2302.
Red-bronze tints of fresh flower in evening sunshine next door
The range of nepalensis in the wild is almost as romantic as the beautiful red then copper flushed drooping inflorescences that waft in the slightest breeze. As you’d expect it is found in Nepal and also across Western China, Bhutan, India, and Myanmar. This is true plant hunter’s territory. Alpine growers may be familiar with Chris Chadwell who runs expeditions to this region, connoisseurs subscribe to receive seed gathered by the expert himself (his seed bank used to include Miscanthus nepalensis).
Of the many of species of miscanthus I grow (mostly quite well) it is rather ironic that nepalensis is the one that self-seeds most readily. Last year’s dried flower heads are still replete with ripened seed, although sowing freshest available seed from a good form in finest fettle is a good policy. The green fingered owner of the specimen next door sowed seed in shallow trays in late winter, patience and a propagation may be required as they take several weeks to germinate. Growth thereafter is slow, too, although moving them up into bigger pots sooner rather than later may help. Those potted up in mid summer from small modules to 1 litre pots have made the best progress. More conveniently, perhaps, the Royal Horticultural Society lists 27 suppliers, which is quite a lot for such a choice plant, including several in the Midlands and one as far north as Cally Gardens near Castle Douglass.
I remain puzzled that nepalensis is described as a ‘tall’ plant at 1.2 metres in height, if not more, perhaps this really only applies to the height of it in flower? The long flowering stems are held like wands well above the foliage in a dramatic fashion. As temperatures drop emergent flowering spikes may stall and, like mine this year, fail to open unless conditions are optimum. (This is a trait I also see in Miscanthus sinensis cultivars.) Last year the same plant flowered more freely and looked good right up to March, the display will be scantier this winter.
Miscanthus oligostachyus
The mound of foliage seems to sit much lower for longer than might be expected compared with most other species of miscanthus, in my garden a cultivar of Miscanthus oligostachyus, above, would be another exception. At most I’ve seen my nepalensis make a loose mound of 3′, which was when it was happiest four years ago. Although its diminutive stature makes nepalensis a much friendlier plant for smaller spaces, lack of presence also means youngsters are easily swamped by plants that make rapid growth earlier in the year.
And I really should know better. ‘Bad Dobby’, as my dear old dad would say.
Barn House Garden 