Muhlenbergia

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At-A-Glance Information

This genus of perennial grasses needs full sun to light shade and little water to perform well, making them great choices for water-wise gardens. These grasses have narrow leaves, and are evergreen in mild winters (turning brown or tan with hard freezes). 

Muhlenbergia Species and Varietals

The best growing zones for Muhlenbergia vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly)
This species grows well in zones 4-24 and is native to the eastern United States. Foliage is dark green and forms a mound 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Feathery reddish flowers bloom an additional 2.5 feet above the foliage. Cut back in late wintertime for fresh growth in spring. Variety 'Regal Mist' (also called 'Lenca') has deep rose-pink flowers.

Muhlenbergia dubia (Pine Muhly, Mexican Deer Grass)
This grass is native to Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and northern areas of Mexico. and grows well in zones 3b and 7-24. This plant forms dense tufts 2-3 feet tall and wide, with fine-textured leaves and cream-colored flowers that bloom in summer and fall. Needs well-draining soil.

Muhlenbergia dumosa (Bamboo Muhly)
To 3-6 feet tall and just as wide, this plant resembles Bamboo, and grows well in zones 8-24. It is native to Arizona and Mexico. Stems hold narrow green leaves, and branching flower clusters appear in springtime, though they are relatively insignificant.

Muhlenbergia emersleyi (Bull Grass)
This Arizona, Mexico, and Texas native grass does well in zones 2-24 and has glossy green leaves. These plants reach 1.5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, and produce spikes of purple-red flowers in summer and fall that fade to cream with age.

Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Best in zones 6-24 and native to Texas and Mexico, this plant forms a clump of soft blue-green foliage 5 feet tall and just as wide. Flower spikes rise 2 feet above leaves in fall, and blooms are amber. These grasses are semi-evergreen in mild-winter areas, but will die to the ground in wintertime elsewhere. Variety 'Autumn Glow' has yellow flowers.

Muhlenbergia porteri (Bush Muhly)
This species of Muhly grows well in zones 3, 7-14 and 18-24. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern areas of Mexico. It reaches 3 feet tall and just as wide, with blue-green stems and foliage. Seed heads are pink-purple and put on a show in late summer through fall. 

Muhlenbergia pubescens (Soft Blue Mexican Muhly)
Native to central Mexico, this species grows well in zones 8-24 and forms a foliage clump a foot tall and two feet wide of downy blue-green foliage. Light blue flowers form on spikes and age to amber. Light frosts will turn foliage purple-red, and harder freezes will kill the grass to the ground.

Muhlenbergia rigens (Deer Grass)
Best in zones 4-24, this grass is native to California to Texas and south into northern Mexico. It has bright green leaves and gets to 4 feet tall and wide. Purple or yellow flower spikes emerge in fall, and as they age they tend to droop.

Muhlenbergia rigida (Purple Muhly)
Grows in zones 6-24 and is native to Texas and New Mexico. It forms a green foliage clump 2 feet tall and just as wide. Flowers are brown-purple and bloom in summer and fall. Variety 'Nashville' has true purple flowers.

Caring for Festuca

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 446, Muhlenbergia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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