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Maiden grass and Purple lovegrass: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis
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Native range
Eastern Asia	S. Canada to NE. Mexico.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
4–12 ft	8–14 in
Mature spread
4–6 ft	10–16 in
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	5–9
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Summer–Fall
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Airy native seedheads add fall color and attract songbirds and small mammals.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	A small warm-season grass for sunny, well-drained soil; foliage goes dormant in winter.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.