Fascination with Miscanthus

As an ornamental grass or as a highly sustainable second-generation bioenergy crop, Miscanthus is a most interesting grass. It is more closely related to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) than any other genus. It can be crossed with sugarcane. It is far more cold tolerant than sugarcane. Much as switchgrass has been touted as a low-input, high-output energy crop in the U.S., Miscanthus has gained a similar reputation in Europe. Research on Miscanthus at the University of Illinois suggests that this crop has an excellent energy crop profile with low input requirements, high output potential, and the ability to improve the condition of the soil over time. Thus, my fascination with Miscanthus.

Just to get an idea of the wide variability that exists in this genus, just as an ornamental, here is a small sampling of Miscanthus ornamental varieties, that I found on the Internet: Adagio, Andante, Arabesque, Autumn Light, Ben Graz, Ben Rotkoph, Bitsy Ben, Blondo, Blütenwunder, Cabaret, Cosmopolitan, Emerald Giant, Gold Bar, Goliath, Gracillimus, Graziella, Hinjo, Huron Sunrise, Juli, Kirk Alexander, Kleine Fontäne, Little Kitten, Little Zebra, Malepartus, Morning Light, Mt. Washington, Nippon, November Sunset, Pünktchen, Rigoletto, Rotsilber, Sarabande, Silberfeder, Silberspinne, Sirene, Strictus, Super Stripe, Variegatus, Yaku Jima, and Zebrinus. One European webpage lists over 200 Miscanthus varieties.