Tuesday, September 24, 2013

What's Pink and Hairy?

Muhlenbergia capillaris, pink muhly grass!


Isn't it beautiful?  And so fun!


It's quite eye-catching when the sun's rays hit it just right.


I've just added some of these to my garden.  I wanted this area to be a focal point in autumn.  So, I decided upon pink muhly grass.  The problem was, they weren't available this spring.  They weren't available this summer.  Finally, they became available at the local garden nurseries!  I guess they didn't think they would sell until they were pink and fluffy.


Pink muhly grass will grow to 3 ft tall by 3 ft wide, and is hardy in zones 6 through 10.


Pink hair - well worth the wait!


32 comments:

  1. Ok...I have never seen these guys! They are fantastic in their whimsy! I would be growing them if they were available in our zone. Great addition! Happy week friend!!!

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    1. I hope they are happy in my garden. I am just tickled pink to have them! :)

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  2. I love Muhly Grass! I know it's only supposed to be hardy to zone 6, but I swear it's growing up at our cottage, which is east of Wisconsin Dells. It's the central sands region, so maybe the dry soil is better for it than our rich soil here in the south of the state. It is gorgeous when the sun glints through it!

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    1. Some references state it can be hardy to zone 5, but all the information I read seemed to indicate that their survival would be unreliable there. However, they do like it well drained (I'm a bit worried about my clay!), so I bet that's the key.

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  3. This is the first I have seen muhly grass!! It looks like a fun plant!

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    1. For me, it is much more fun than I ever thought it would be! I am totally infatuated with it!

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  4. I just bought three of those last week when I went on a greenhouse tour at our local college's horticultural department! I planted one two years ago in the fall from a local nursery and it didn't return the following year. Maybe planted in too much shade. The horticulturist told me they need full sun so that's where they're going! I'll be following along to see how your muhly's are doing! Good luck to both of us!

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    1. Yes, Dorothy, good luck to us both! Mine are in full sun, but I am a bit concerned that my clay soil may hold more water than they like, especially in the winter. But, they are such a fun plant I think I would have to try again if they fail!

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  5. Replies
    1. And it is! I just have to reach out and touch it when I go by - it feels a bit like cotton candy! :)

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  6. How pretty! After seeing pictures of prairie-style plantings over the past few years I've caved and now want to plant some grasses in my garden too. I'll make a note of the name of that one and see if I can find it here over spring/summer... or maybe I'll have to wait till autumn too!

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    1. I just started adding grasses to my garden this year. I was initially worried that they would seed out of control, so I've tried to do my research. I hope you can find it there. It really does make a spectacle of itself when it blooms! :)

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  7. They are very pretty and if you have the space it makes sense to have them in the garden. Some of the grasses really set things off.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. I do like to see grasses in gardens, but this will be the first time I have put any in my own garden. I think I'm really going to like them! I hope they like it here, too!

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  8. I love pink muhly grass and have two huge shell covered planters filled with it. I look forward to it blooming every fall. I know you will really enjoy it. I always love seeing how the sunlight hits it and makes it glow.

    FlowerLady

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    1. I bet they are gorgeous in your planters! They really are lovely when the sun shines through them.

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  9. This grass really is pink and fluffy. I have seen it used in big stands and it can be overwhelming like that. As an accent like you are growing it, it will be such a pop of interest. Nice.

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    1. I'm really hoping this will be a spot of beauty in autumn. After so many years of trying to crowd every season in every bed, I am now working on different areas of seasonal interest. Keeping my fingers crossed my plan works out!

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  10. One of my absolute favorites. I have a slightly different kind called Pink Cloud and it's not nearly as nice as yours. Funny that the ones you see in Home Depot are nicer than the more exotic versions. Next time, I go for tried and true!

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    1. These are native here, so maybe that's why they do better than the ones hybridized. Although, Pink Cloud sounds beautiful!

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  11. This muhly grass is my favorite, although it's not hardy I'd like to grow it as an annual. Nice pink spot in your garden, Holley!

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    1. Sorry it's not perennial for you. I do think that this grass is pretty enough to be grown for just a short season and still get your money's worth!

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  12. One of my favorites, this is a fun plant. Every spring I separate one clump to make more clumps and leave the rest to get big and beautiful. I'm just beginning to see pink wisps this season, pulling out everything around it so it can stand alone..

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    1. What a great plan! I'm hoping mine get big and beautiful, but I wouldn't mind having some clumps to separate for more!

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  13. That is such a pretty grass. I've just planted a few new grasses, including a Chasmanthium latifolium which is also pinkish. There is so much choice, but I don't think I have seen this one before - lovely!

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    1. I just started adding grasses this year, but I am really enjoying looking at them and learning about them all. I'll have to research Chasmanthium latifolium, since it's also pink!

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  14. Another beauty I need to add to the garden!!

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    1. There are so many beauties, aren't there? I am beginning to run out of room, and still, so many beauties beckon...

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  15. It's one of my favorite grasses. Mine's not "fluffly" yet. I have some in the backyard and when it is backlit, it lights up my heart! So beautiful!

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    1. "Lights up your heart." Yes! That's the feeling! Wonderful, isn't it? :)

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