miscanthus giganteus

[John85]

Can M.giganteus withstand a waterlogged soil during winter?
I plan to plant a very long hedge of it to hide a big shed but the watertable,although at a depth of 3m during summer,is very close to the surface during winter.It is a very strong growing plant but does it tolerate such growing conditions?

[Maggi Young]

John,  an interesting plan to disguise a shed.....
I believe that this huge grass is tolerant to all sorts of conditions and can cope with soils that are subject  to waterlogging even in winter.
I've heard that the only reason an "evenly" dry planting area would be required would be if the plant was to be grown as a crop (e.g. for biomass use) - when dry land in winter and spring would be needed to allow mechanical access for harvesting.

[Palustris]

Not so sure about the waterlogged soil, but do bear in mind that these grasses have to be cut down in February. The haulms are too soft for use as Bamboo and they are very difficult to get to compost and need to be dried out before you can shred them. Even when shredded and used as mulch they last for years. Also there is nothing to be seen from when they are cut down until then end of May even up to the middle of June before they are back to providing shelter for your shed. We have this around a Gazebo and it is only hidden from June onwards.

[John85]

Thank you both.
I was not aware that they are difficult to shred.I guess it depends also on the shredder.
If the mulch last for years,it 'll be useful in the paths.

[Palustris]

I have two different types of shredder,an Archimdes screw type and a rotating blade one. Neither deals well with the freshly cut stems, but the screw type will shred the dried ones. Never tried them through a big petrol driven one, out of my price league sadly.

[John85]

Luckily I have one of those big ones:old but still running.
Where can i buy the rhizomes at affordable prices?Plants in containers are too expensive when you need more than a few.Found a nursery that sell them in big bags for the farmers:10000 in one bag!But nothing between.Help please.

[Palustris]

If you lived anywhere near me you could come and help yourself to as many roots as you need. Ours is Miscanthus hybridus though, so no flowers and so no unwanted seedlings. It grows to about 10 feet in a season. Nice thing is that, unlike Bamboo, it is easy to contain and remove any unwanted stray roots.

[Maggi Young]

If I wanted to hide a shed, or any other structure, I'd  prefer to erect a simple wire netting frame close by and plant a couple of Clematis montana.......

[John85]

Maggi,
as space is plentiful here,the idea is to plant the miscanthus close to the shed to hide it quickly ,in front of that several evergreen shrubs(including ... Rhododendrons of course) and in front of those a mixed border and then to hire a pixie to help with the maintenance!

[Maggi Young]

I like your plan John - but here pixies are in VERY short supply 

[Peter Maguire]

John,

I was intrigued by your suggestion of using M. giganteus as a screen (we have a tatty wall to hide) and found this source with a web search which I thought I might try:
http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Mammoth_Miscanthus/

The price seems reasonable, but they don't seem to have them available until April next year. If you prepared to wait..........
They don't sell pixies to go with them.

[John85]

Peter
I am aware that the planting time is April.So waiting till then  is not a problem.But the price is:when sold to farmers in big bags(5000 to 10000) the price for a rhizome is around 0.15£!

[Peter Maguire]

It's called 'economy of scale' (the more you buy, cheaper the unit cost) unfortunately.