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Image of Muhlenbergia
capillaris or Florida Muhly Grass or Gulf Muhly Grass
or Hairawn muhly, Mist grass or Pink Muhly Grass or Purple Muhly Grass
or Texas Muhly Grass coming
soon...
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Muhlenbergia
capillaris
(Florida Muhly Grass, Gulf Muhly Grass, Hairawn muhly, Mist
grass, Pink Muhly Grass, Purple Muhly Grass, Texas Muhly Grass) |
Family: Poaceae (Grass)
Origin: Massachusetts-Texas and Florida, North America and West
Indies
Light: Full sun-light shade
Height: 3-5'
Spread: 2-3'
Booms: Red, smokey, cloud-like heads, delicate, above foliage,
covering foliage, in Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous, green, narrow, stiff, wiry, basal
Soil: Well-drained, poor, moist-dry, acidic-alkaline, sandy
Water: Low
Propagation: Divisions, seeds (Surface sow, barely cover seeds, keep
moist)
Uses: Xeriscaping, borders, landscaping, specimens, accent,
groundcovers, road shoulders, medians, coastal plantings, naturalising,
cut flowers, mass plant
Comments: Muhlenbergia
capillaris or Florida Muhly Grass or Gulf Muhly Grass
or Hairawn muhly, Mist grass or Pink Muhly Grass or Purple Muhly Grass
or Texas Muhly Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a stiff,
upright, clumping moderate growth habit. It is a native of Florida
and several other states in North America and a member of the Grass
family. Florida Muhly Grass is an endangered in several states.
Gulf Muhly Grass has narrow green stiff leaves before the blossoms
appear right untll late August. In the Fall wiry stems of dense
cloud-heads of red, smokey, delicate blossoms appear above clump of
basal foliage, covering it entirely. The beauty of Hairawn
muhly at this time of the year will sweep you off your feet. After
flowering season is over, eye-catching tan seeds are seen on the stems.
The birds have a fiesta with the seeds, helping Mist grass to spread.
Pink Muhly Grass is easily propagated from seeds; sow on top of soil,
barely covering them and keep moist. It thrives best in
well-drained moist to dry, acidic or alkaline sandy soil, in a
sunny to part sun location. Purple Muhly Grass
tolerates salt sprays and
poor soils. Since it is drought tolerant, it is an ideal candidate
for xeriscaping. Deers would not go near it. Mass
plant
Texas Muhly Grass in the borders or along road shoulders or an
exhilarating vista. This
knee-high hazey perennial
grass naturalizes well and is very much sought after by many gardeners.
Muhlenbergia capillaris does not require much
care when established but
water it regularly for optimum growth. In its native
habitat,
Florida Muhly Grass can
be found growing in wet prairies, marsh edges, coastal upland pine
woods, beach dunes and sandhills.
tolerates salt
sprays, In South Carolina, Muhly grass is known as 'Sweetgrass', the
dried leaves of which were used to weave fine baskets.
Florida Muhly Grass looks versatile in the back of the border of perennial beds or as
groundcovers. It is a delightful container plants to accent the patio or deck.
Gulf Muhly Grass is a show stopper.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 6-10 |
