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ornamental grass

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Pink Muhly'

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Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Pink Muhly') at Fernwood Garden Center

Pink Muhly Grass

Pink Muhly Grass

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Pink Muhly') at Fernwood Garden Center

Pink Muhly Grass flowers

Pink Muhly Grass flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  3 feet

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  6a

Other Names:  Pink Muhlygrass, Gulf Muhly

Description:

A mounding grass with very fine dark green foliage; airy plumes of minute pink flowers in fall gives one a sense of pink fluffy clouds, that will eventually fade to tan seed pods in late fall and winter; breathtaking planted in masses

Ornamental Features

Pink Muhly Grass features airy plumes of pink flowers with rose overtones rising above the foliage from late summer to mid fall. The tan seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance in late fall. Its grassy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Pink Muhly Grass is a dense herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Pink Muhly Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Pink Muhly Grass will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for poor, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Pink Muhly Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Garden  Groundcover  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Texture  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features
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