Q: I want to make a hedge of Miscanthus Giganteus. How close do I space the plants?

A: Spacing plants 1 1/2' apart should result in a fairly full hedge in 1-2 years. Planting 3' apart should take 3-4 years to become fairly full. You may also choose to plant several rows of depth to your hedge for fullness. You could stagger the plants in the rows so that plants are not directly behind each other. This type of planting will result in a deeper, thicker hedge and will have the appearance of fullness quicker. How close you plant depends on your budget. Figure out the length you wish to plant, then factor in how quickly the hedge will grow full and how much you are willing to invest.

Q: How quickly does Miscanthus Giganteus reach 12-14 feet?

A: It can take up to 3 years after planting field divisions for the plant to reach full height. When grass is divided it takes some of the vigor from the plant. Much like any perennial it takes time to re-establish. You can expect 6-8' of growth the first year (when planting in spring). Moisture and warmth are the two factors that greatly effect the height of the plant. In favorable conditions you may have larger plants the first year, in unfavorable conditions your plants could be shorter. By the third year after planting you should have full height.

Q: There are several suppliers of Miscanthus Giganteus, why should I buy from Lacy Creek Growers?

A: There are 3 main types of starter plants of Miscanthus Giganteus. We sell what we believe to be a good form of starter plant.(See below). We harvest our roots and hand inspect and pack them. We do our best to give you the service and knowledge you need to succeed.

• 1 Rhizomes: These are thick, fleshy, woody looking roots, about as thick as a finger and ranging from a few inches to a foot or more. Rhizomes are similar to bulbs in that they store nutrient needed for growth and can be stored for a time period at correct conditions and will remain alive without soil and water. While we sell single rhizomes we recommend them for early spring and late fall planting, when conditions are quite wet out and will be for a period of time so that the roots have time to establish before drier weather sets in. We also recommend these be used in soils that will hold moisture well and have some fertility , not sandy types of soils. Single rhizomes are small starter plants and are more vulnerable to needing the right conditions to establish as compared to the larger divisions we sell. Single rhizomes are often used when starting fields for bio fuel crops, but supplemental watering using irrigation equipment is recommended. Single rhizomes usually do not grow as tall or large as our ½ gallon divisions the first year planted.

• 2 Field Divisions: These are clumps of rhizomes which may contain some smaller feeder root as well. Each plant will be different in size, but for reference it will be at least the size of the palm of your hand. It has been shown that this size of plant has a much greater success rate. Dividing the plant down to a single rhizome makes the plant more vulnerable to needing the right conditions for success. These larger field divisions will have more vigor and establish quicker than smaller starts.

  A 1/2 gallon field division would fill at least a 1/2 gallon container, if potted up. It is considered a good size for planting in fields where supplemental watering may not be available. It also works well in the landscape where a clump of grass is desired in short time. You may wish to plant several together if desiring a larger clump. For the very best results, supplemental watering should be available wherever you plant, but if it's not the survival rate of this size plant is still good.

• 3 Plugs: These are small potted plants. We have experimented with these and do not choose them over field divisions. Small pots require very small, 1" or smaller pieces of rhizome to start with. Much of what grows in the pots is small feeder root, there is not enough room for big rhizomes to establish. There is also little soil to hold the big moisture amount the plant needs. Most plugs are also grown in greenhouses and must be acclimated to outdoor conditions, or planted after the last frost. By then the natural moisture levels are usually becoming drier and there may not be sufficent time to establish before hot weather sets in. It can take longer for plugs to establish as they have lots of adjustments to make when planted. It also approximately doubles the shipping costs of this plant, which is a big factor in how much it costs to plant this grass.

Q: How much is shipping?

A: We charge a flat rate of $8.00 for your first order of 5 bare root miscanthus plants, plus $2.50 for each additional quantity of 5 miscanthus plants thereafter. Shipping for 100 miscanthus plants is $45. For peonies, we charge $7.50 shipping for the first plant, plus $2.00 for each additional peony.

After the 100 plant level, we charge actual shipping. We will not know the true cost until we pack your order and weigh it. Plants differ in size and weight and shipping to different locations is variable. However we can estimate that it will cost roughly .25-.30 cents ea plant to ship, for larger orders. We will charge you an estimated shipping cost when payment is made. If the estimated cost is greater than actual cost, a prompt refund will be made. If the estimated cost is less than actual cost you will be billed for the amount due.

Q: Once I receive my order how do I care for it?

A: Bare root Miscanthus Giganteus is packed in moistened peat moss and held in plastic bags. This grass is similar to other root grown plants, like bulbs, and peonies. It will survive fine in the environment it is shipped in. Once you receive your plants you should check the peat moss for moisture. It should be moist but not sopping wet. If you think it needs water, mist it with a hose, or sprinkle lightly with a can. Do no let too much water sit in the bag, as the roots can rot.

It is best to plant your grass as soon as possible. However you can hold your grass roots for a few weeks before planting, with little detriment to the plant. Simply keep an eye on the moisture every few days. You may poke a few holes in the bags for air movement so the roots do not become moldy. Store the roots in a cool place out of the sun, too much warmth or sun will cause the roots to grow. Some green, shoot growth is not a problem, but eventually the plant needs good soil and water. If you wish to keep them dormant for a period of time, they can be refrigerated. If temperatures are extremely cold, protect roots in an insulated cooler, or by wrapping them in a tarp, etc. Keeping the roots at a more constant temperature, rather than allowing a freeze-thaw cycle, is better for the plant.

Q: What is your guarantee?

A: We commit to sending only quality plants. If you are not happy with the quality of your plants you may return them within 2 weeks of shipment. Shipping costs to and from the buyer are not reimbursed. The original cost of the plant will be reimbursed. Any guarantee after receiving the plants is limited. We simply cannot offer a blanket replacement plan when we do not know how the buyer will care for the plants. We also are unable to control the natural conditions of mother nature. These are living things and must have the care suggested to survive. If you have questions or issues, please do contact us with them. At times we will replace plants, but only if we feel it may have been an issue on our end. Each case will be handled as the need occurs. In our view we are only successful if we have helped you be successful. It is not a matter of just making money, our goal is to help others succeed and we will do all we can to assure that.