The leaves and stalks of the Chinese reed, gently swaying in the wind, offer a sight that is as attractive as it is calming. No wonder this ornamental grass now grows in many gardens. However, it is very light and warmth-loving.
Chinese reed needs a little sun to be happy
How much sun does Chinese reed need?
There are different varieties of Chinese reed (bot. Miscanthus sinensis), which have slightly different requirements. What they all have in common, however, is their preference for a location that is as sunny as possible. Chinese reed will probably not bloom in the shade, and the plants there are not as resilient and less vigorous.
If you want your Chinese reed to bloom, then choose a flowering variety and plant it in the sunniest possible place. Also make sure that the soil there is fresh to moist and that the Chinese reed is well supplied with nutrients. Appropriate fertilization is also recommended.
Some varieties of Chinese reed tolerate light shade or partial shade quite well, although they may not grow as luxuriantly there. If you don't have a sunny spot in the garden, use these varieties. Alternatively, there are numerous other ornamental grasses that also thrive well to very well in the shade.
Chinese reed in winter
If your Chinese reed doesn't get as much sunlight in winter, then that's not a tragedy. The above-ground parts of the plant die anyway. Don't cut back the reeds just yet.
Many varieties get a very attractive autumn color, you should not miss this. A pruning in the spring is also the better solution for the well-being of the reeds. Ideally, you should wait until just before they sprout in April.
The essentials in brief:
- the more sun the better
- some varieties also thrive in semi-shade
- rarely if ever blooms in the shade
- ensure a good supply of nutrients and water
tips
If you want your Chinese reed to flower, then you should definitely plant it in a sunny spot.