The most popular selection of this species and deservedly so; plants form a graceful upright mound of fine green foliage that stays attractive from summer through winter, when it changes to a light tan; great as a specimen, border, or mass planting.
Gracillimus Maiden Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Gracillimus Maiden Grass features dainty plumes of pink flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. The violet seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from mid fall to late winter. Its grassy leaves are green in colour. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous tan in the fall. The khaki (brownish green) stems can be quite attractive.
Gracillimus Maiden Grass will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity extending to 6 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!