Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ghana'

Chinese Silver Grass Poaceae

A Miscanthus with a rather exotic name and an autumn performance to match. ‘Ghana’ forms a strong, upright clump of broad, arching green foliage, above which remarkably straight flowering stems carry upright, reddish-brown plumes from late summer. But its real party trick arrives in autumn, when the foliage develops spectacular shades of copper, russet, orange-red and deep bronze, often colouring while the flowerheads are still looking splendidly fresh. Selected by the celebrated German plantsman Ernst Pagels, it is one of his most distinctive Miscanthus selections. The name is said to reflect Pagels’ fascination with Ghana, a country he apparently hoped to visit but never did. A clump-forming, slowly expanding grass, it makes a superb architectural specimen and is particularly effective where the low autumn sun can illuminate its fiery foliage. Best in full sun and moist but well-drained soil, although it will tolerate occasional drought once established.

Cultivar origin: Selected by Ernst Pagels, Germany.
Flowering: September–October
Hardiness: H6, approximately −20 to −15°C
Height: 150–250 cm
Spread: 50–100 cm