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Maiden grass and Pink muhly grass: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Pink muhly grass Muhlenbergia capillaris
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia	Central and eastern United States into Mexico, Central America, and the CaribbeanSee 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	2–4 ft
Mature spread
4–6 ft	2–3 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	5–9
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Fall–winter
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Native grass clumps shelter wildlife, while seedheads feed songbirds and small mammals.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	Plant in full sun with good drainage for the best pink plumes; use locally appropriate stock within its central and eastern range.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.