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Maiden grass and Tufted hairgrass: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Subarctic & Temp. to Tropical Mountains.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Moist to wet / Average moisture
Mature height
4–12 ft	1 ft 8 in–3 ft 0 in
Mature spread
4–6 ft	1–2 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	4–9
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Summer–Fall–Winter
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	This native grass adds songbird habitat and flower plumes that persist into winter.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	A cool-season clumping grass for moist soil; afternoon shade helps protect its foliage.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.