Muhlenbergia capillaris

Muhly grass is an absolute showstopper source of late-season color. As a native ornamental grass, it is a great complement to those landscape beds with fading summer annuals. The delicate plumes of flower panicles create a striking pink haze above the dark green, glossy foliage.

Muhly grass is native to the central and eastern parts of the United States and south to Mexico and Guatemala. This grass is found naturally in clay or thin rocky soils, especially in those soils that were formerly burned and prairie-like. They are also found in open woodlands, savannas, dry woodlands, and the mountains around rock outcrops. 

The genus, Muhlenbergia, was named after Gotthilf Muhlenberg, a botanist, chemist, and mineralogist. He is credited with classifying and naming at least 150 species of plants in his Index Flora Lancastriensis, published in 1785. He lived from 1753-1815. The specific epithet, capillaris, means fine or hair-like.

This perennial is attractive individually but makes a big show when used in a mass planting. Delicate pink flowers mature on long, narrow, wiry leaves in the fall. The grass produces tiny, purplish seeds. Pink muhly grass can reach a height of 4 feet and a width of 3 feet. Give it plenty of sunshine and transplant it into well-drained soil.

A North American native, pink muhly grass sounds too good to be true. Long-lived, with little to no insect or disease pests, and highly resistant to deer grazing, this ornamental grass is perfect for the low-maintenance garden. Muhly grass tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil and is highly salt tolerant. It is adaptable to home or commercial landscapes. Plant in groups or masses for fall season color.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Fall        Foliage: Summer and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• clumping warm-season perennial grass
• wiry, thread-like, dark green leaves and stems from 2 to 3 feet tall
• pink to pinkish-red, airy, open blooms appear to float above the foliage in the fall
• tan seed plumes add winter interest

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Muhly grass had no serious insects or disease issues.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.