Yaku Jima Maiden Grass

Yaku Jima is a compact, clump-forming maiden grass with fine blue-green leaves and airy plumes that emerge pink-flushed before maturing to creamy silver in late summer and autumn. Its foliage turns golden in autumn and fades to brown by winter, giving the upright, gently arching clump a long season of texture ([RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/500304/miscanthus-yakushimensis-1/details); [Kansas State cultivar trial](https://www.k-state.edu/turf/resources/ornamental-grasses/grasses/miscanthus-sinensis-yaku.html)). ## Form and growing conditions This dwarf selection is often advertised at 36–48 inches; Kansas State recorded plants reaching 70 inches in the second trial season, while RHS lists a mature range of 1–1.5 metres. These references show how mature size can vary with growing conditions ([Kansas State](https://www.k-state.edu/turf/resources/ornamental-grasses/grasses/miscanthus-sinensis-yaku.html); [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/500304/miscanthus-yakushimensis-1/details)). It grows best in full sun and moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. The Morton Arboretum lists this cultivar as hardy to USDA zone 5 ([Morton Arboretum](https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/chinese-silver-grass/)). ## Maintenance Leave the stems standing through winter for structure, then cut old foliage down in early spring before new growth starts. Divide established clumps in spring if needed ([RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/500304/miscanthus-yakushimensis-1/details); [Morton Arboretum](https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/chinese-silver-grass/)).