How to Plant Variegated Grass
Variegated grasses are normal plants, but instead of being solid green, they have stripes of white, cream or yellow. True collectors of plants know the value of the variegated ones. They are unusual and different from the other grasses with the all-green leaves. Miscanthus is a hardy, perennial ornamental grass that grows from 3 to 10 feet tall. Miscanthus sinensis variegatus is the kind most often seen in landscapes. This species is a large clumping variety with vertical stripes that stand out. A narrow version with subtle striping is the Miscanthus 'Morning Light'. Some varieties have horizontal stripes like the Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' and Miscanthus sinensis 'Kirk Alexander'. The variegated Japanese sedge grass has brownish-green flowers that show as small tufts above the plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Find a place that is in a shady location and where the soil stays slightly moist. With a trowel or shovel, dig a hole twice the size of your plant's container.
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Replace the soil you removed from the hole with a mixture of compost, soil and peat moss. Add some slow-release fertilizer.
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Remove the Miscanthus from its container and examine the roots. If they are compact and growing in a ball, tease some of the roots out. If you do not do this, the roots will continue to grow around the root ball and your plant may die.
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Add some of the soil you amended back into the bottom of the hole. Place the plant into the hole and finish filling the hole. Keep the soil line and the root ball even or the variegated grass may rot.
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Water thoroughly. For the next week, water every day. The second week, change the watering to every other day. After that, water your variegated grass when the soil is dry.
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Tips & Warnings
A quick way to see if you need to water is to stick your finger in the soil. If the soil is moist, do not water. If you live in a cooler climate, make sure you plant the Miscanthus where it will get partial sun. You can grow most Miscanthus in a container for a beautiful accent plant. Some grow so tall that they can be cut and baled like hay.
