Abstract: Pot experimentswere conducted to determine appropriate division size and to understand the effects of shading density on Miscanthus sinensis (Anderss) ‘Variegatus’. Plants from 4 initial division sizes, of 2 - 3, 5 - 6, 10 - 12 and 20 - 23 tillers, were evaluated following a complete growing season. It was indicated that number of shoots and inflorescences, crown size and shoot biomass increased significantly with increased initial division sizes, but plant height was not affected by initial sizes. However, division of 2 - 3 tillers produced 3.2 times asmany new shoots perinitial tiller as did 20 - 23 tiller division. Plants of Miscanthus sinensis‘Variegatus’were grown under shading densities of 0, 25% , 50% and 75% p rovided by polyp ropylene shade cloth. At shading densities of 25% - 50%, shading increased plant height, shoot and inflorescence number, shoot and root biomass, as well as chlorophyll content, but at high shading density of 75% , all these measurements decreased. So 25% - 50% shading is recommended for planting and production of Miscanthus sinensis (Anderss) ‘Variegatus’.

Key words: ornamental grass, Miscanthus sinensis, division size, shading density, growth characters, chlorophyll content