I planted 3 of these ornamental grasses in a planter box on my deck as a privacy screen last spring. I’ve tried a search to learn if these are perennials in Toronto but, can’t find any information. The plant tag also doesn’t say if it’s a perennial. I’ve cut back the grass this April and I don’t see any new growth. Is it too early or should I replace the plants with new grasses for my planter?
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.
Thank you for the photo of the Miscanthus Sinensis Pink Swan, which is a zone 5 to zone 9 perennial grass. Our website has information on container gardening Container Gardening. It mentions that container gardening is a challenge especially on a balcony with extreme temperatures, that the freeze thaw process and the size of the balcony planter box may have killed the Maiden Grass. I would wait till the first week of May to confirm that there are no new shoots. If it has survived the winter Maiden grass is a clumping grass that usually dies out in the center, so look for new shoots around the outside or closer to the pot borders.
If you are replacing Miscanthus Sinensis, you may want to replace it with a tall native grass:
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) grows up to 8 feet tall, with seed heads later in the season. Minnesota Native Plant YouTube introducing Big Bluestem: Big Bluestem Native Grass
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is also a tall native grass, with a wonderful fall color and airy seed heads. Beautiful photo and information by Missouri Botanical Garden: Panicum virgatum
Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) great fall color with seedhead that stay through the winter. This University of Illinois you tube video provides detailed informaiton on Sorghastrum nutans: Sorghastrum nutans
Happy Gardening