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miscanthus grass varieties

Miscanthus grass varieties are celebrated for their architectural form, feathery plumes, and easy-care nature. Whether you’re seeking ornamental grasses for a dynamic garden border, screening for privacy, or a striking accent plant, Miscanthus offers a diverse range of cultivars to suit every landscaping need. With their bold textures, impressive growth, and graceful movement in the wind, these perennial grasses have become favourites among New Zealand gardeners aiming to achieve both beauty and practicality. Explore the most popular Miscanthus grass varieties and discover which is best for your garden.

Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

5 from 1 customers

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves. This dramatic variety adds strong visual interest and movement to New Zealand gardens throughout the growing season. Its upright clumping habit makes it ideal for borders mass planting and feature positions. Easy to grow and low maintenance Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' is perfect for adding texture and contrast to garden landscapes.

From $21.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to the foliage, hence the common name, Japanese Silver Grass. Tall spikes of plum-like flowers are borne in summer, which are cream with a pink tone as they grow to 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide. Miscanthus sinensis is commonly included in mixed plantings, planted around a water feature, used as a backdrop for other plants, or included in borders.

From $21.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.

Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$20.93
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.

Lomandra Little Pal

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in...

From$16.13
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.

Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$18.83
isolepsis-cernua-1

Isolepis cernua (Fiber-Optic Grass)

Isolepsis cernua (aka Scirpus cernua), commonly known as Fiber Optic Grass, grows as a tidy clump to about 25 cm tall and the same wide with green...

From$16.13
Lomandra 'Arctic Frost' plant in a pot with variegated foliage.

Lomandra Arctic Frost

Lomandra Arctic Frost is a hardy ornamental grass featuring variegated blue and cream foliage held upright with a gentle arch. Growing to...

From$20.93
cortaderia-fulvida-2

Cortaderia fulvida (Austroderia fulvida)

Cortaderia fulvida, commonly known as Toetoe, is a large and vigorous NZ native grass. It bears long and narrow, mid-green leaves which are held with...

From$16.13
Hakonechloa albostriata plant with variegated foliage.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass. It features variegated green foliage with...

From$22.88
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.

Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$8.78
cymbopogon-citratus-4

Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Cymbopogon citratus (aka Andropogon citratus), commonly known as Lemongrass Grass or Citronella Grass, grows as a clump and produces flavoursome and...

From$20.18
Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

From$16.88
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.

Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$14.18
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.

Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$24.23
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$22.88
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$16.13
helicotrichon-sempervirens-3

Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oatgrass)

Helictotrichon sempervirens, commonly known as Blue Oatgrass, is a lovely and popular ornamental grass featuring distinct, blue foliage. It grows as...

From$16.88
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.18
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$20.18
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$13.43
Lomandra 'Seascape' grass with elegant, blue-green foliage growing beside a pond.

Lomandra confertifolia Seascape

Lomandra confertifolia 'Seascape' is a hardy, evergreen ornamental grass featuring slender, blue-grey foliage with a graceful, weeping habit. Forming...

From$20.93
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.

Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.48
Lomandra Shara displaying fabulous blue-green foliage and growing beside a gravel path.

Lomandra Shara

Lomandra Shara is an ornamental grass renowned for its delicate, dark green foliage and graceful arching form. Reaching approximately 60 cm in height...

From$20.18
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$16.13
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$22.88
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.

Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$15.86
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$13.43
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.33
Carex flagellifera Red plants.

Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$13.43
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature ToeToe) plants with cascading cream-coloured flowers.

Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe)

Chionochloa flavicans, commonly known as Miniature ToeToe or Dwarf Toe Toe, is a highly popular NZ native grass. It has flowing, green foliage and...

From$13.54
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage

Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$18.83
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.

Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$13.43
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Anemanthele, Calamagrostis, Carex, Chionochloa, Cortaderia, Cymbopogon, Festuca, Hakonechloa, Helictotrichon, Imperata, Isolepis, Libertia, Lomandra, Miscanthus, Ophiopogon Poa and Sisyrinchium, or related Categories - Grasses Mondo Grass and Perennials.

Search miscanthus grass

Why Choose Miscanthus Grass Varieties?

Miscanthus grasses thrive in New Zealand’s climate, offering season-long interest and minimal maintenance. As deciduous or semi-evergreen perennials, their upright habit and sway lend drama to gardens. Many varieties are tolerant of wind, coastal conditions, and poor soils—making them a robust choice for diverse sites. The showy flower plumes appear in late summer or autumn, and the foliage often changes colour, providing year-round visual appeal. Miscanthus grass varieties are also superb for wildlife gardens, as their plumes attract birds and their dense clumps provide shelter.

Popular Miscanthus Grass Varieties in New Zealand

When selecting Miscanthus grass varieties, consider size, foliage colour, and pluming style. Several standout cultivars thrive locally, including:

How to Grow Miscanthus Grass Varieties

Plant Miscanthus grass varieties in full sun for the best growth and flowering. They prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil but are adaptable to less-than-ideal conditions. Water regularly during establishment, then they thrive as low-maintenance garden features. Cut back dead foliage in late winter or early spring to allow fresh new leaves to emerge. Over time, Miscanthus forms robust clumps that can be divided every few years to rejuvenate growth and increase your plant stock.

Design Ideas with Miscanthus Grass Varieties

Miscanthus grass varieties suit a vast range of uses—screening, backdrop planting, specimen displays, or as part of mixed perennial beds. Pair with flowering shrubs, bold perennials, or even alongside other ornamental grasses for layered texture and movement. Their autumn plumes add seasonal drama, and winter foliage provides structure when most other plants are dormant.

Ready to introduce gorgeous movement and colour to your garden? Explore the full range of Miscanthus grass varieties for enduring beauty and architectural flair in any landscape.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Gardeners love Aesculus hippocastanum and Avocado 'Hass', but there’s a growing buzz around plants like Heuchera Kassandra (Coral Bells), Metrosideros 'Maungapiko', and Escallonia 'Gold Brian'.
–The Plant Company

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