Miscanthus transmorrisonensis Sunset - Silvergrass

Miscanthus SUNSET 'Lucset' is a large ornamental grass selected for its flamboyant foliage and its gracefully trailing pink to silvery plumes. This form of Chinese silver grass is distinguished by its leaves which turn a strong red in late summer and its flowering which remains decorative until winter. This tall plant finds a place at the back of a border, where it creates a scene animated by wind and changing light. Its an easy-going, very perennial, durable grass, well-suited to contemporary or naturalistic gardens.

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis SUNSET 'Lucset' belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a non-running, rhizomatous perennial (Miscanthus transmorrisonensis, native to the mountains of Taiwan, is currently considered a synonym of Miscanthus sinensis). The cultivar SUNSET 'Lucset' is a horticultural selection of Miscanthus transmorrisonensis obtained at Knoll Gardens (Dorset, United Kingdom) and launched in 2024 by Neil Lucas. The plant forms a dense clump with a fairly narrow base, whose stems quickly reach 1.80m-2.10m in height. The habit is initially very upright, then the flowering stems take on a slightly arching appearance, giving the whole a supple silhouette. The growth rate is medium: the clump reaches its maximum height in two to three years, then widens slowly, via short rhizomes that produce a few peripheral offshoots. The foliage is composed of long, linear, fine, bright green leaves, adorned with a silvery midrib. As temperatures drop in October, they gradually take on golden yellow, orange, then brick red hues, before drying on the plant: the foliage is marcescent, it dries but remains in place all winter. The root system, composed of short rhizomes and numerous deep roots, anchors the plant solidly and improves the soil structure at the surface. The inflorescences appear from late August-September to October, in the form of large, trailing plumes held well above the foliage. Upon emergence, the spikelets are tinged soft pink to red, then they lighten to rosy grey before becoming almost white. As with other grasses, pollination is carried out by the wind (anemophily).

In the garden, Miscanthus SUNSET can be used as a backdrop, as a specimen plant, or by placing several clumps scattered in a border. It pairs well with other large ornamental grasses such as Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' or Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus'. Sanguisorba officinalis 'Arnhem' bears warm brown spikes in late season that associate well with the coppery foliage of the miscanthus. It can also be combined with the autumn aster Aster laevis 'Calliope', with its mauve stars and dark stems, and Eupatorium maculatum 'Atropurpureum', with its broad pink umbels. All these plants will create a lively, colourful, and dynamic late summer scene.

Chinese silver grass is very present in Japanese culture under the name susuki, traditionally used for decorations during the autumn full moon festival. This partly explains the strong association between miscanthus and late-season colours.