Miscanthus 'Little Kitten'
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HEADS UP. THIS ONE CAN SELF-SEED.
Maiden grass is on Ontario's invasive plant list because its seed can blow into natural areas. In the garden it stays a tidy clump. If you live near woodland, meadow or water, cut the plumes off in fall before they drop seed.
Miscanthus 'Little Kitten': All the Maiden Grass Charm, Pint-Sized
'Little Kitten' is a maiden grass that curled up into a tiny mound and refused to get any bigger. Fine, soft blades with reddish plumes that fade to silver. ALL OF THE CUTE, NONE OF THE LITTER BOX.
Plant Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'
- Common Name: Maiden Grass
- Height: 60โ90 cm (2โ3 ft) in flower
- Spread: 45โ60 cm (1.5โ2 ft)
- Flowers: Small reddish plumes held just above the foliage, maturing to silvery white
- Bloom Time: Late summer to fall (August to October), with seedheads lasting into winter
- Foliage: Very fine, narrow green blades in a compact mound, turning gold in fall
- Features: Suited to containers
Where to Plant: Use it where a full-sized maiden grass would swallow the space: small front yards, the front of a border, rock gardens, along a path, or in containers on a sunny deck. Planted in a row, it makes a soft, low edge.
Companion Plants: Perovskia 'CrazyBlue' matches the grass's compact size at 40 to 45 cm and carries violet flowers from July to September. Echinacea Kismetยฎ 'Red' adds bold red coneflowers at 45 cm from June to October, a strong contrast to the fine, arching blades. At the front, Sedum 'Blue Spruce' stays 10 to 25 cm tall with yellow flowers from June to August. This easy trio wants full sun.
Plant Care: Plant it in full sun in average to evenly moist, well-drained soil. It won't tolerate standing water, especially in winter. Water regularly through the first season. Plants in containers dry out faster and need more frequent watering. Leave the foliage and plumes up for winter. Cut back to about 5โ10 cm (2โ4 in) in early spring, before new growth begins, taking care not to damage the crown. Divide in spring when the clump gets crowded.
History: Miscanthus sinensis is native to eastern Asia, including China, Korea and Japan. 'Little Kitten' is one of its dwarf forms, bred for gardens with less room to spare.
Final Thoughts: Perfect for a balcony pot or the front of a sunny border, and the deer leave it alone. IT WILL NOT KNOCK YOUR STUFF OFF THE TABLE.
