Clumping ornamental grasses are a standard in Nantucket landscapes. They are easy to care for, deer-resistant and fit in perfectly with the coastal garden vibe. Over the years, they have continued to grow in popularity, with many new species and cultivars becoming available in the trade. One of the OG-all-around -best-in-show species for garden worthy grasses has been Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden grass, Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass). As of December 8, 2025 this species of grass has been deemed, “a threat to land in Massachusetts” and is now on the “Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List”. As such, we are no longer allowed to grow or bring in any more Miscanthus sinensis cultivars including popular cultivars like ‘Gracillimus’ and ‘Adagio.’ We are allowed to sell through existing stock until the end of the season, but we’ll likely have none left in stock past May.
Although the conversation surrounding invasive plants can be polarizing, none of us at the nursery are surprised about this determination by MDAAR (Massachusetts department of agricultural resources). Thousands upon thousands of these grasses are in island landscapes, which each plant producing countless quantities of seeds every fall. These seeds are spread around the island in numerous ways, most notably by landscapers, as they transport the spent growth to the dump after the plants are cut back.
Because these grasses have been used in island landscapes for years, many gardeners may not be aware of similar plants that can be used in their place. One of our senior sales associates, Ashley Twiggs, has compiled the following list to help:
Alternatives for Miscanthus ‘Adagio’
- Panicum ‘Purple Tears’ (3-4ft tall)
- Panicum ‘Northwind’ (4-6ft tall)
- Panicum ‘Niagara Falls’ (4ft tall)
- Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ (3-5ft tall)
- Schizachyrium ‘Standing Ovation’ (3-4ft tall)
- Schizachyrium ‘Ha Ha Tonka’ (3-4ft tall)
- Schizachyrium ‘Blue Heaven’ (3-4ft tall)
- Sorghastrum nutans (3-5ft tall)
Alternatives for Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’
- Panicum ‘Totem Pole’ (5-6ft tall)
- Andropogon gerardii (4-8ft tall)
Alternatives for Miscanthus ‘Little Kitten’
- Deschampsia flexuosa (1.5′)
- Carex pensylvanica (0.5-1′)