Miscanthus: an ally for horticulturists!

Weeding abilities that suit your flower beds

Since its importation into Europe, Miscanthus has been used in various ways. Multiple research studies on this herb have been conducted or are underway to further develop the exploitation of this hybrid grass. The purpose of these studies is to look for other opportunities where it can be effective. Mostly used for ornamental purposes, the Miscanthus also contributes to horticulture in several ways. Flower, vegetable and fruit planters find it to be an excellent product for weed control. Indeed, once ensiled, this grass is a very effective mulching agent for flower beds, for example. This prevents a gardener from turning to chemical weed control solutions.

Find out more about the mulching process

Mulching is one of the most prominent uses on this market. This is the result of an interplay of many benefits that horticulturists find about it. In addition to its mulching effect which allows it to be used as a weed killer, the Miscanthus also has a high lignin content, which gives it a stiffed appearance and a good waterproofing ability. In order to obtain this grass in a form suitable for horticultural mulching, the technique of silage in fine strands is used. This method consists in keeping stems of two centimeters in silos for the mulching. This process can also be used in industrial boilers or for the bedding of horses and lactating cattle. It is suitable for bulk packaging in order to be transported over short distances (up to about 40 kilometers). The density of such product is evaluated between 120 and 130 kg/m3.