Muhly grass



Muhly Grass - Atlantic Ave Orchid  and Garden

This is a picture of Muhlenbergia (myoo-len-BER-jee-ah) capillaris (kap-pill-LAIR-riss), a close cousin to purple muhly (muhlenbergia filipes). According to my research the above is  called hairy awn muhly or purple muhly. No matter they are both very similar differing mainly by muhlenbergia filipes' stouter flowering culms, and a latter blooming time.
They are both clumping, warm weather grasses. They show the beautiful color in the fall as the plant starts to go dormant for the winter. They are deciduous, meaning the top growth will die in the winter, however the leaves will remain for winter interest. Muhlenbergia capillaris (above)grows to about 3 feet by 3 feet, with the culms, (stems) rising another 2 or 3 feet.
This grass does best in full sun and well drained soil. It tolerates drought and wind but like all of us, will take a drink of water when there is a prolonged drought. It's fall flowers add a stunning touch to fresh or dried flower arrangements. Muhlenbergia capillaris is native to Florida. It growes well in zones 7-11.

Grasses, General

When I think of  "grasses"  I think of the large ornamental specimen placed near the edge of the yard's property line or by the driveway to the house.  Many people probably immediately think of the green stuff in their front yard. We are both right from our own perspective but when shopping for "grass" it is good to refer to the grass in your yard as "turf" and the decorative grass as "ornamental grass".
The term "ornamental grass" refers to what is both true grasses, close relatives and grass like plants. As I am not interested in complex botany I will use the term "ornamental grass" to  share about grasses that are used chiefly for ornamental purpose in the garden setting;  true grass and grass like plants.
Briefly ornamental grasses are either classified as warm season or cool season grasses.  Warm season grasses liking of course warm weather, just like me! These grasses thrive in temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees. They grow vigorously, until the fall when they flower and begin a period of dormancy. Like the trees of fall the grass will turn color, the color depending on the particular plant, as it continues on to dormancy. With complete dormancy in the winter the grass will turn tan, wheat, or white and become dry. The foliage will usually stay throughout the winter adding interest to the garden. In spring new growth begins and the cycle continues.
Cool season grasses like temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees and require more moisture than warm season grasses. They begin new growth in the fall or very early spring. The leaves of the cool season grass generally are evergreen and may be red, plum or purple in the winter. These colors will fade as the warm weather takes over. New growths begins again in the fall and the cycle continues.

Pampas Grass

Pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana, is native to southern South America. If you have a good spot for one in your yard I recommend it as it will reward you with beautiful feathery plumes that sway in the breeze and catch the light of the sun. I love to watch the sparrows sit on the top of the plumes eating the seeds,seeming to enjoy the swaying as much as the good meal!

Pampas grass is a tough plant. It is drought tolerant once established and needs very little care. I do prune mine each spring but it isn't really necessary. The plumes make a great addition to a flower arrangement and the plant itself remains of interest all year long as it is evergreen. The leaves are very sharp and one needs to take care when pruning!

The plant can be very longed lived and can grow to heights of 9 plus feet and a diameter twice that! It is not a good idea to plant it at the entrance to a driveway or walkway. It is generally a perennial in zones 7-11. It is considered an invasive weed in some places such as CA.