Muhlenbergia capillaris

Latin name: Muhlenbergia capillaris
Common name: Pink Muhly Grass
Flowers: Showy¹²
Fruit: Not noticeable
Height & Width: 3’ x 3’¹²
Type: Perennial ornamental grass¹²
Habit: Upright grass¹²
Wetland indicator category**: FACU¹⁷
Texture: Fine textured basal foliage¹²
Growth rate: Medium¹²
Light: Sun to light shade¹²
Moisture: Very drought tolerant¹²
Soil: Well drained soil does well in hot dry sandy sites¹
Zones: 6-9¹²
Origin: Western-central United States¹²
Features: Airy inflorescence often colored pink purplish red, purplish gray dries to a light buff; dark green glossy leaves. Excellent winter interest ornamental grass, flowers remain pink into November.¹²

Siting: Belongs in well-drained soils because it is very drought tolerant, also does well in sandy soils. Should be planted in mass to create a statement in the landscape, does well in edging and borders as well as centerpieces.¹⁵

Care: Plant in suitable site with adequate soil organic matter so that the crown of the plant is at the soil surface.¹⁸Ensure the soil is adequately moist immediately after planting. Keep soil moist but not soggy until plant is established. Once plant is established water deeply but infrequently whenever the soil surface is dry or almost dry 2” below the soil surface.¹⁸

Pests: Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met.¹²

Author: Whitney Blue Fraser
Editor: Alexander Smolka

Sources:

1. Armitage, A. (2001). Armitage’s manual of annuals, biennials, and half-hardy perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
2. Armitage, A. (2006). Armitage’s native plants for North American gardens. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
3. Armitage, A. (2008). Herbaceous perennial plants: A treatise on their identification, culture, and garden attributes.Athens, GA: University of Geogia.
4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Flowers fact sheets. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/flowers/
5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Groundcovers & vines fact sheets.Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/groundcovers/
6. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Trees. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/trees/
7. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Shrubs. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/shrubs/
8. Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
9. Gilman, E. F. (1997). Trees for urban and suburban landscapes. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin. (2012). Native plant information network. Retrieved from http://www.wildflower.org/explore/
11. McMillan, P., Plant taxonomist Clemson University, personal communication.
12. Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Plant finder. Retrieved from http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp
13. North Carolina State University (2005). Plant fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html
14. Strother, E. V., Ham, D. L., Gilland, L. (2003) Urban tree species guide: Choosing the right tree for the right place.  Columbia, SC: South Carolina Forestry Commission.
15. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. (2011). Southern trees fact sheet. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees
16. USDA. Plant profile. (n/d).Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/
17. USDA. Plant wetland indicator status. (n/d). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html
18. Vincent, E., Environmental horticulturist Clemson University, personal communication.
19. Clemson Extension. Carolina Yards Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/plant-database/index.htm
20. Gettliffe, C., Junior Student of Horticultural Clemson University, personal knowledge.

*Soil pH is determined using a professional soil test. Contact your Clemson University County Extension service for assistance www.clemson.edu/extension/. Click on “local offices”.

**2012 Plant Wetland Indicator categories (quantitative derived) http://plants.usda.gov/wetinfo.html