Miscanthus S. ‘Little Zebra’ 3Gal

Latin Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Zebra'

Common Name: Little Zebra Maiden Grass

Zones: 4–9

Height & Spread: 3–4 feet tall (with flower plumes), spreading 2–3 feet wide

Descriptive Features: A compact, more refined selection of the popular 'Strictus' and 'Zebrinus' zebra grasses, offering the same eye-catching horizontal gold banding in a scale suited to smaller gardens. Forms a tight, upright, well-behaved clump of narrow, arching green leaves striped crosswise with irregular bands of creamy-yellow — a distinctive variegation pattern (unlike the more common lengthwise striping of most Miscanthus) that becomes more pronounced as the season progresses and temperatures warm. In late summer to early fall, coppery-pink to reddish-bronze flower plumes rise above the foliage, maturing to a fluffy silvery-tan and persisting through much of winter, offering multi-season interest, cut-flower use, and seed for birds if left standing. Foliage takes on warm tan and gold tones in fall before winter dormancy. Notably more floriferous and predictably compact than its larger zebra grass relatives, with strong, upright stems that resist flopping. Extremely low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and deer-resistant. Its manageable size and bold pattern make it an excellent specimen, accent, or mass planting in smaller borders, foundation plantings, or containers in full sun.