Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ or Japanese Silver Grass. Miscanthus can be deciduous or evergreen, depending on the severity of the winter. This popular grass grows to about 1m x 50cm wide. It has a tufted, spreading habit with erect stems with arching, linear leaves finely edged with white, thus giving the whole plant a delightful silvery appearance. From late summer and through the winter month’s terminal pinkish -bronze tinged panicles appear that mature to a fluffy cream colour. This ornamental grass prefers full sun and moist fertile soil, and once established, it will tolerate drought conditions as well as taking wind and snow in its stride. The foliage should be left standing throughout the winter months as it looks good and also provides protection for the crowns. The old stems should then be cut to the ground in late winter to early spring, when it will quickly regenerate into a new mound of fresh growth. Common Name: Japanese Silver Grass Latin name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ Tenderness Rating: Hardy down to -15C Ease of growing: Easy Position: Prefers full sun to dappled shade Soil Condition: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Trachycarpus wagnerianus - Miniature Chusan Palm. This interesting small palm is reminiscent of a Trachycarpus fortunii, but more diminutive in foliage. It grows to a height of 3–7m, slowly at first, but after three to four years explodes into growth, especially in moist, rich soil and if well fed. It has small, stiff, pinnate dark green fan-shaped fronds up to 0.75m long on a mature plant, though more like 30cm long when juvenile. The leaf segments are edged with white woolly fibres. The leaves are so stiff, that they are unaffected by windy conditions, hence are excellent for exposed locations and also work well as container plants. Another excellent palm for temperate gardens. Common Name: Minature Chusan Palm Latin name: Trachycarpus wagnerianus Tenderness Rating: Hardy down to at least -15C and works well in windy locations. Ease of growing: Easy. Position: Prefers full sun but will also grow well in dappled shade. Soil Condition: Well drain neutral soil and responds well to a high nitrogen feed in the spring. Fast growing once established.
