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Maiden grass and Pili grass: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Pili grass Heteropogon contortus
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Dry soil
Mature height
4–12 ft	Under 1 to over 2½ ft
Mature spread
4–6 ft	2–5 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Year-round grass texture
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Native bunches add texture and ground cover to dry, sunny Hawaiian gardens.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	Select a local form; established plants tolerate dryness but stay greener with some water.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.