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Maiden grass and Beach wildrye: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Beach wildrye Leymus mollis
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	N. China to Russian Far East and Japan, Subarctic America to N. & W. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Average moisture; tolerates dry or occasionally wet soil	Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
4–12 ft	Up to 4 ft
Mature spread
4–6 ft	Spreading colonies
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	Choose nursery stock suited to local winters.
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Seasonal foliage & seedheads
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Native rhizomes help stabilize sandy coastal ground.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	Spreads strongly; reserve space and sandy or gravelly soil.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew Additional growing guidance

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.