The Maiden grass Adagio is a perennial, herbaceous grass hailing from the Poaceae family.
Its cultivar name, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’ (miss-KANTH-us sy-NEN-sis) pays homage to the relaxing slow dance it performs with every light breeze.
It also bears the common name of dwarf maidenhair after its parent plant, the maiden silvergrass.
One of the most striking features of dwarf maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis Adagio is the thin, silvery-green blades.
In autumn, the leaves burst into gold, orange, and burgundy; topped with an inflorescence enduring throughout winter.
While not truly evergreen, the mix of fall color and attractive foliage shades permit the plant to remain an attraction when many other plants in your local growing zone fail.
Due to its Eastern origin and leaves, this miscanthus grass plant also holds the common name of Japanese silver grass and is often referred to as adagio maiden grass by sellers.
Adagio Maiden Grass Care
Size & Habit of Growth
Adagio Dwarf Miscanthus sinensis grows in dense clumps, of approximately 3′ feet wide at mature width and 5′ feet tall at mature height.
While it tends to keep a close habit, its ability to spread through self-seeding can lead to invasive behavior when not properly maintained.
Flowering and Fragrance
Beginning in late summer, adagio produces dozens of tassel-shaped rose-colored florets which have a spiral twist at their bases and bronze seed heads.
The flower color fades to white during late winter, finally ending the display around February.
Light & Temperature
As with most ornamental grasses, Adagio loves part shade to full sun.
It tends to grow floppy and less vibrant when not exposed to direct sunlight, so be sure the plant gets at least six hours of full sun when planting in partial shade for the best results.
Highly adaptable, adagio thrives in USDA zone or hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Soil Type & Transplanting
Dwarf Adagio maiden grass tolerate a wide range of soils including sandy and clay but prefers well-drained, average soil with medium moisture.
When transplanting this grass indoors, it’s important to choose a container large enough to accommodate its root system.
Containers of one to three-gallon capacities are ideal.
If planning for a mass landscape planting, aim to plant grass seedlings between 4′ and 6′ feet apart so they have plenty of room to spread their roots.
Grooming And Maintenance
Due to its attractive winter appearance, this dwarf maiden grass may be left standing until just prior to spring.
At this point, bind the foliage together and cut it 3″ inches above the ground.
When new growth appears in early spring, the silvery hue will be more vibrant, thanks to this simple procedure.
While very little additional maintenance is required, pruning the maiden grass rhizomes will help reduce the spread of this plant when not confined to a container, as will a bit of mulch over the roots.
How To Propagate Japanese Silver Grass
Adagio is an avid self-seeder, making it easy to grow from seedlings.
Another easy way to propagate this species is through division.
You should divide in winter when the plant is dormant.
This may be done by digging up the plant and dividing it into two or three sections for individual replanting, ensuring each section has roots attached.
Miscanthus Sinensis Pest or Disease Problems
Two major diseases affect the Maiden grass Adagio.
The first, Miscanthus blight, is a fungal disease caused by Leptosphaeria sp. affecting the foliage.
- It’s typified by rust-colored spots and oval streaks on the leaves and sheaths.
- The damage renders leaf margins and tips necrotic, as well as killing older leaves.
- Younger plants may die from the disease.
Anthracnose (commonly referred to as bacterial leaf spot) is another common disease affecting maiden grasses.
It may cause damage to the leaves and spreads quickly.
While not inherently invasive, maiden grass adagio has the ability to self-seed and may take over a garden when not maintained.
Miscanthus sinensis Adagio is a drought-tolerant grass but tends to be highly flammable, making it a fire hazard when allowed to spread unchecked.
A range of pests may also attack the maiden grass miscanthus, including aphids, fungus gnat larvae, mealybugs, and spider mites.
While most of these cause little damage, Miscanthus mealybugs are a growing problem which may cause stunted growth rate and have proven difficult to eliminate once it gets inside the plant’s stems.
Suggested Uses For Maiden Grass Miscanthus Adagio
This amazing ornamental grass is perfect for container plants, borders, and mass planting.
Due to the brilliant change from green foliage to burgundy and attractive pink to white plumes, this plant provides your home or garden with a source of winter interest long after your other perennials fade away.
Another excellent use of this plant is a form of natural erosion control, suitable for ground cover along steep banks and as a natural border for water features.
Its dwarf status allows it to become a foreground accent to taller grass specimens while the flower plumes complement a range of garden themes.
As it is both deer resistant and attracts birds, adagio is also a great companion plant for bird feeders.
Drying or pressing the blooms allows them to last a long time, making them attractive decorations while awaiting the first spring flowers in your garden.