Eileen Quinn Japanese Silver Grass

Eileen Quinn Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus oligostachyus 'Eileen Quinn') is the compact member of the silver grass family. Its arching, weeping foliage forms a fast growing clump about 50cm high and 50cm wide, and in late summer and autumn creamy-brown flower heads lift the plant to around 1m. It is totally cold hardy, which makes it a graceful choice for borders in cooler gardens.

Why you'll love it

• A soft, arching shape. Weeping green-bronze leaves form a fountain of foliage that moves in the lightest breeze.
• Plumes above the leaves. Long stems of creamy-brown flower heads rise above the foliage in late summer and autumn, taking the whole plant to about 1m.
• Autumn colour. As the weather cools, the green leaves take on spicy tones, and the flower heads add texture through the season.
• Fast, tough and cold hardy. It grows quickly, copes with heavy clay and shrugs off frost.
• Good for cutting and wildlife. The plumes work in floral arrangements, and the grass suits a wildlife garden.

Where it works best

Borders and drifts. Plant 50cm apart in big drifts for a prairie style planting. At that spacing the clumps meet in a soft, flowing sweep.

Beside other grasses. It carries the same airy plumes as its taller relative, Chinese Silver Grass, in a smaller package, so it sits at the front of a border where the bigger grass stands behind.

Autumn displays. Plant it where low afternoon light can catch the plumes, and cut a few stems for the vase.

Growing Eileen Quinn Japanese Silver Grass in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the best flowering, though part shade is fine. It is totally cold hardy, which suits frost prone districts from the tablelands to Tasmania. In warm, humid gardens it will grow too, but it dislikes soil that stays wet.

Soil. Most garden soils suit it, including heavy clay. Avoid very wet soils, especially those that do not dry out in winter. On clay that holds water, plant on a low mound.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well after planting, and keep it watered through the first summer. After that it needs little attention. Feeding is optional.

Pruning. Remove dead flowerstalks to tidy the clump if you like. In late winter, cut the whole plant back to just above the ground to give room for the new shoots.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Eileen Quinn Japanese Silver Grass as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to fill a long border, while the 200mm pots give you a bigger clump to start with. Choose your size on this page.

The tubes come from our grower, and stock is not constant. When the grower has none the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is available again.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Ornamental grasses for Australian gardens
• More plants for autumn colour
• Plants for mass planting

Common questions

When should I cut it back?

In late winter, before new shoots appear. Cut the whole plant to just above the ground. You can remove dead flowerstalks earlier if you want the clump to look tidier.

Does it need full sun?

It flowers best in full sun, but it also grows in part shade. Expect fewer plumes in shadier spots.

Will it grow in heavy clay?

Yes, it is happy in most garden soils, clay included. The thing to avoid is soil that stays wet all winter, so mound the bed if water lingers.