I have written about this ornamental grass several times in the recent past but wanted to alert everyone of the fall show provided by this native plant. Despite the hurricanes, if you have seen a pinkish hue in area landscapes you are probably witnessing the fluffy, purple-pink flower heads of muhly grass. This attractive native plant has successfully made its transition into the horticultural market capturing the attention of local gardeners with its wonderful ornamental characteristics. A standard in many planting beds, the soft grassy foliage blends into the background for most the of the year. Fall triggers this popular ornamental grass to bloom with flower heads exploding into soft, pastel color catching the appreciative and envious eyes of passersby everywhere.
Muhly grass is native from Florida up the east coast to Massachusetts and west and south into Texas and Mexico. Very resilient in the many habitats from marshy to well-drained, this ornamental grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris, is just one species of many muhly grasses. Noted for its two to three-foot long, thin blades arranged in a large clump with fall/winter hazy purple-pink flower heads, the pink muhly grass is a natural for a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ yard. For a different look, there is a white flower-head cultivar called ‘White Cloud’ – identical in all the features to the pink version. Planted in mass beds around four feet apart, the wind moves the delicate inflorescences in sweeping wind-blown drifts of color. Highly drought-tolerant once established, this grass has good salt tolerance and can be used in coastal landscapes.
One specialty garden especially well-suited for muhly grass is what is called a “rain garden”. Rain gardens take advantage of low spots in the landscape that catch and hold seasonal rains for a period of time. The rain garden collects rainwater and filters out any contaminants before draining down through the soil profile essentially cleaning the run-off stormwater. Key to the success of a rain garden are plants that can adapt to seasonally wet and seasonally dry landscapes – muhly grass fits the bill in both categories, and it looks good too!
In the spring, cut back any old winter foliage to rejuvenate the appearance of the clump. Propagation is as simple as dividing old clumps into multiple sections and resetting these pieces back into the landscape.
Over the years muhly grass has become a standard item in many of our landscape plant palettes. Muhly grass garners new fans every day – it is popular and successful for a reason – it is beautiful! For more information on ornamental grasses suitable for area, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension – Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Ellis, A. & Hecker, F. (2023) Plants at Their Peak: Magical Muhly! The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Sarasota County.
Gilman, E. F., Klein, R. W. & Hansen, G. (2023) Muhlenbergia capillaris, Muhly Grass. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design. (2022) The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Fraser, W. B. Muhlenbergia capillaris: White Muhly Grass Clemson University – College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Missouri Botanical Garden (2024) Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘White Cloud’.
Thetford, M. & Salinas, M. (2023) Considerations for Selection and Use of Ornamental Grasses. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Salinas, M. (2018) Florida Native: Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Santa Rosa County.
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions (2024) Rain Gardens. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
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