Muhly Grass - Cherrylake

Muhly Grass

Muhly Grass Potted

Muhly Grass Potted

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Muhly Grass, commonly known as hairgrass, is a tough, Florida and Mexico native grass useful in many different landscape settings. Its glossy, wiry, thread-like, dark green leaves have a wispier look than most ornamental grasses. The most distinguishing feature about this grass is its fall flower. Masses of billowy inflorescense of massed, pinkish-red flowers rise above the foliage in a beautiful fall bloom lasting for six to eight weeks. The flowers produce tan seed plumes that are less than half an inch long and remain attractive in the winter.

This easy to grow ornamental grass produces clumps that can reach three to five feet tall and up to three feet wide when mature. Best grown in sandy or rocky, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It has an extreme tolerance to drought and flooding making it suited for wetland sites as well as beach front landscapes.

Muhly grass adds a nice, fine-texture for landscapes. It makes a spectacular groundcover when planted in masses and does well in edging and borders as well as centerpieces. Even after the flower stalks fade, thanks to its slender, dark green foliage, it still looks good in the landscape.

Muhly Grass Potted
Muhly Grass Potted

Ornamental Characteristics:

Native Origin:
Florida and Mexico

Common Names:
Hairgrass, Pink Muhly Grass; Texas Muhly Grass; Gulf Muhly Grass; Hairy-awn Muhly Grass

Description:
Hardy Range:  7 – 11
Mature Height:  3 – 5’
Mature Spread:  2 – 3’
Growth Rate: moderate
Growth Habit: clumping

Ornamental Characteristics:
Muhly Grass has a clumping form growing 3 to 4 feet tall and about as wide. A stiff, upright growth habit makes this markedly different from many other grasses. Purple flowers emerge late summer and fall well above the foliage and can literally cover the foliage.

Environment:
Soil: extended flooding; acidic; alkaline; sand; loam;clay
Salt: moderate
Exposure: full sun

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Muhly Grass in the Landscape
Muhly Grass Leaves
Muhly Grass Leaves
Muhly Grass Flower
Muhly Grass Flower