Zebra Grass is a stunning ornamental grass that brings dramatic striped foliage and architectural presence to any garden. This cultivar of Miscanthus sinensis grows 5 to 8 feet tall with distinctive horizontal yellow bands running across its green leaves, creating a shimmering effect as light passes through the planting. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and produces showy silvery-bronze flower plumes from late summer through winter, extending the visual interest well into the colder months. Its low maintenance requirements and tolerance of drought and poor soils make it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking year-round structure and movement.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
96in H x 72in W
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High
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The horizontal striping that gives this grass its common name intensifies in sunlight, creating a mesmerizing play of gold and green that shifts throughout the day. Unlike many ornamental grasses, Zebra Grass retains a relatively tight clump shape as it expands slowly through short rhizomes, so it won't aggressively sprawl across your garden. The late-season flower display starting in August and persisting into February provides months of sculptural appeal when much of the garden has gone dormant.
Zebra Grass serves as a stunning focal point in perennial borders, meadow plantings, and contemporary landscape designs where its dramatic vertical form and striped foliage create strong visual impact. The persistent flower plumes and dried foliage provide structure and texture through fall and winter, making it invaluable for four-season garden interest. It works beautifully in large containers, along water features, and in naturalized settings where its erosion control and drought tolerance reduce maintenance demands.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Cut back the entire clump to the ground in late winter or very early spring before new growth emerges, typically in late February or March depending on your zone. This rejuvenates the plant and prevents the buildup of dead foliage. The dried stems and foliage provide winter interest, so timing your cutback just before active growth resumes allows you to enjoy several months of structural appeal while the plant remains dormant.
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“Zebra Grass is a Japanese cultivar of Miscanthus sinensis, a warm-season grass native to the lowlands and lower alpine areas of Japan, Korea, and China. The species has been in cultivation for centuries in Asia and was introduced to Western gardens where it thrived in diverse climates. The 'Zebrinus' selection, with its distinctive variegated foliage pattern, represents centuries of plant observation and breeding aimed at creating ornamental specimens with striking visual characteristics. Since its introduction to the West, this cultivar has naturalized across more than 25 states in the central and eastern U.S. east of the Mississippi River, as well as in several western states including Colorado and California, a testament to its adaptability and appeal.”