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Maiden grass and Deergrass: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Maiden grass Miscanthus sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Deergrass Muhlenbergia rigens
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Native range
Eastern Asia	SW. & S. Central U.S.A. to 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	Up to 5 ft in bloom
Mature spread
4–6 ft	Up to 6 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	Choose nursery stock suited to local winters.
Season of interest
Late summer–fall plumes; winter structure	Tall seedheads & tufted foliage
Garden & wildlife value
Birds are attracted to its seeds.	Native clumps shelter wildlife, and the seeds feed songbirds.
Growing notes
A tall, clumping grass that can spread by seed. Size and seed production vary among cultivars.	Give this warm-season grass room and drainage; established plants tolerate drought but not waterlogged soil.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.