Plants for Winter Interest - Miscanthus

Sun Perennial Demo Garden-Jan. 2021

Tall grasses add structure and interest to the winter garden. Most common is Miscanthus which has approximately 20 different species. The name comes from the Greek mischos meaning “stalk” and anthos, “flowers.” This refers to the tiny flowers on its tall plumes. There are a variety of sizes and foliage that can fit in most landscapes. Miscanthus sinensis [miss-KANTH-us sih-NEN-sis] is also known as Maiden Grass.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
CC BY-SA 3.0 (N. Nagel)

Allowing frost-killed grass to remain throughout the dormant season, its buff-colored foliage, stalks, and airy, plumed seed heads provide striking winter interest. The plumes shimmer in winter sunlight and the slightest breeze will add movement to the landscape. Tall varieties are excellent for mass planting and screens that last into winter. The plumes are excellent in dried flower arrangements.

The plant prefers full sun, tolerates moist soils and is relatively pest- and disease-free. It is highly salt tolerant which makes it an excellent choice along sidewalks, driveways and roadways. It is important to note that Miscanthus can become INVASIVE. Some cultivars produce many seeds and heavy mulching helps prevent germination and prevents the plant from becoming invasive. 

Arriving in late summer, the  airy, plumed seed heads endure from August until late January or longer. Cut foliage down in late winter or early spring before, or just as, new blades appear.

One variety, Miscanthus giganteus, a perennial grass hybrid, is being researched at OHIO UNIVERSITY as a possible option for a bio-fuel. 

[ https://www.dispatch.com/article/20160318/NEWS/303189757  ]  

More information on Miscanthus sinensis at NORTH CAROLINA EXTENSION

[  https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/miscanthus-sinensis/ ]

~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

Planning is Key to Garden Success

 

“Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year. For gardening begins in January with the dream.”

This quote by Josephine Nuese, author of The Country Garden, is the excuse gardeners use to ignore the snow covered yards and bare limbed trees to settle in with the seed catalogs and gardening books.

In February the dreaming is over and the important task of planning begins for home gardeners. Whether planning to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers, it’s time to choose what, where and when.

An important part of planning is having information about your yard and garden.  Note what light is available DURING THE GROWING SEASON – full sun for 6 or more hours each day during the growing season, part sun/shade, and full shade. For some plants it is important to know if the site is wet or dry.

Since the soil in your garden is the container for your plants, have it analyzed through Penn State with a soil test. These are available in Penn State Extension Offices for around $9. Call the offices before you go. The results will help you decide if you need to add anything to your soil to help the plants grow well. Once you receive the results, call your Extension Office if you need help in understanding them.

George Weigel, Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist and author, notes in the Pennsylvania Getting Started Garden Guide, “you can’t put whatever you like wherever you want.” If you want to have the best chance of success, get information about what you want to plant by checking catalog descriptions, seed packs or plant markers.

UPDATE: Franklin County, PA, is now solidly in Zone 7a according to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone map. Click to go to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone Map for Pennsylvania.

(Look for plants that are listed for Zone 6b, the Franklin County USDA Hardiness Zone. ) Hardiness zones are areas with the same temperature - the coldest zone is 1 and the warmest is 10. In buying plants, especially from catalogs, check where they are grown. Plants shipped from other hardiness zones may not thrive in our area. Checking out Master Gardener plants sales is a great place to start. They are either grown locally or selected for optimal growth in their area.

~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

Coffee Revs Up Your Morning and Compost

Photo: Pixabay

A recent post on the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Facebook page reminded me of this post.

Stopping by the Master Gardener compost pile I noticed a large plastic bag which turned out to be full of coffee grounds. Why are these here? This prompted me to see what’s up with coffee grounds and compost.

Composting is the process where natural materials are broken down by microorganisms to form a nutrient rich, soil-like material call humus or compost. Compost uses two different materials:  Green matter, such as vegetable scraps, grass clippings and, yes, coffee grounds, and brown matter like dead leaves, straw, shredded paper and non-diseased plants. Composting is an easy way to reduce waste and create a valuable gardening supply.

Coffee grounds are the granules that are left after brewing coffee. These are considered green matter in the compost pile. Checking Penn State Extension sources as well as Extension Services in other states revealed that coffee grounds are a good addition to compost as part of the green matter. They can be added to vermicomposting or worm composting. This is a natural method using worms to help compost food and organic scraps. It can be done year-round, indoors and outdoors. 

What’s in Coffee Grounds?

The Brooklyn Feed Website reports “Starbucks commissioned a study in 1995 to better understand the make-up of the organic matter we call coffee grounds.” See the chart for the information provided.

Applying coffee grinds directly to your garden: Coffee grounds can be applied directly as a top dressing/mulch to acid loving plants like blueberries, hydrangeas, and azaleas. Adding brown material such as leaves and dried grass to the mulch will help keep a balanced soil pH.

I am quoting Linda Chalker-Smith, Univ. of Washington, on her bottom line to this topic:

"Recommendations

Given the incomplete and conflicting scientific data so far, the scientific jury is still out reviewing the evidence. Nevertheless, I do feel comfortable in making some general observations and recommendations for those of you who would like to try coffee grounds as part of your compost pile or as a mulch:

In compost

• Percentages of 10 to 20 percent of total compost volume have been reported as optimal for compost quality and effectiveness, while over 30 percent can be detrimental.

• Only small amounts of coffee grounds are required for effective disease suppression. Therefore, I recommend using no more than 20% by volume of coffee grounds in a compost pile. A diverse feedstock will ensure a diversity of microorganisms.

• Don’t assume coffee grounds will make an acidic compost; pH levels will undoubtedly change over time. For mulching

• Coffee grounds are finely textured and easily compacted.

• Compacted coffee grounds create a barrier to moisture and air movement, especially when applied in thick layers.

• Therefore, I recommend against using pure coffee grounds as a mulch; instead, try using a thin layer (no more than half an inch) of coffee grounds and cover with a thicker (four inches) layer of coarse organic mulch like wood chips."

More information about composting for the home garden is available at:

Penn State Extension: Home Composting Guide

Washington State University: Myth of Coffee Grounds (pdf)

Bucks County, PA: Coffee Grounds for the Gardener

~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

~   ~   ~   ~

                                HERB SAMPLER Second Edition

Buy one for yourself and consider getting a few more. They make great hostess gifts, housewarming, and anytime gifts.

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it. 

Twas the Night Before Christmas for Gardeners

 

‘T was the Night Before Christmas for Gardeners

 

‘T was the night before Christmas, and all through the yard,

The branches were bare and the ground frozen hard.

The roses were dormant and mulched all around

To protect them from damage if frost heaves the ground.

 

The perennials were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of fertilizer danced in their heads;

The newly planted shrubs had been soaked by a hose,

To settle their roots for a long winter’s doze.

 

And out on the lawn the new fallen snow

Protected the roots of the grasses below;

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a truck full of gifts of gardening gear.

 

St. Nick was the driver a jolly old elf,

And he winked as he said, “I’m a gardener myself.

I’ve brought new seeds and light systems, too,

Give them a try and see how they do.

 

“To eliminate weeding, I brought bags of mulch,

To attract the pollinators I have flowers for best results.

To add to your joy, I’ve plenty of herbs

And ornamental grasses for your hell strip curb.

 

“For seed planting days, I’ve a trowel and a dibble,

And a roll of wire mesh if the rabbits should nibble.

I have the latest books, plus some gadgets you’ll love;

Plant stakes and frames, and waterproof gloves.

 

“Here are sharp shears and a new compost pit

And, for pH detecting, a soil testing kit.

With these colorful flagstones, lay a new garden path.

For the view from your window, a bird feed and bath.

 

“And last but not least, some well-rotted manure,

A green garden year-round, these gifts will ensure.”

Then, jolly St. Nick having emptied his load,

Started his truck and took on the road.

 

And I heard him exclaim through the motor’s loud hum,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Green Thumb!”

 

Taken from PegPlant, December 2016