Miscanthus sin. Zebrinus and Pennisetum Rubrum grasses

[carosanto]

Hi Y'All

I have just received (very late in the day) an order of ornamental grasses.  They carry no instructions, but are both described as hardy.  However, I've fossicked about in the internet a bit and an American site tells me 'not to plant until soil has warmed up otherwise it will rot' for BOTH plants ergo they are tender.

Hmmmmm one the one hand 'hardy' on the other 'tender', or is this just a case of our 'shoulder2shoulder buddies being over-cautious.  Could I just pot them up and keep in my cold conservatory for the winter?

Can anyone help on this one - I know the answer is out there somewhere.

Regards Caro

[carosanto]

[ACE]

It is the damp what does for them. Once they are established they are no trouble but planting them out in the dormant season usually ends up with them rotting off. Nice gritty compost in the pot and a cold dry spot will see them ready to plant out when the temperature hits 10c next spring.

[Obelixx]

Miscanthus zebrinus is tough as old boots in my garden and regularly copes with winter temps of -15C.  However last winter we got to -30C for a couple of nights and this year they've grown a lot less vigorously.   Mine are planted on the edge of an unlined pond so get wet feet in winter.    However, I agree with ACE and would advise keeping it in a pot in a sheltered place until next spring.  Don't let the pot, and thus the roots, freeze.

Pennisetum rubrum is nesh in my experience and does not survive frosty winters out in the ground.  I have a friend who keeps one in a pot but has to put it in the greenhouse every winter.

[carosanto]

Thanks guys, it's the cold conservatory for them till Spring then.  I knew the answer was out there - it always is.

Regards

Caro