Muhlenbergia 'Pink Flamingos'

Pink Flamingo Muhly is a naturally occurring ornamental hybrid of upright warm-season grass of the Poaceae family. It is tall, and erect, and measures 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It forms an upright clump of narrow, wispy plumes of bluish-green grass. In the fall from September to October, the leaves are topped with very showy, airy clouds of bright pink flower plumes. As the flowers age, they turn silvery-gray, and the plant becomes dormant by mid-November.

This plant was discovered at the Peckerwood Garden in Hempstead, Texas. It is a putative hybrid between Muhlenbergia capillaris (Muhly grass) and Muhlenbergia linheimeri (Lindheimer's Muhly).  Muhly grass produces puffy pink seed heads, while Lindheimer's Muhly produces tall, wispy plumes of grass. Pink Flamingo Muhly is a combination of these traits.

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.

Pink Flamingo Muhly prefers full sun, but it will tolerate some partial shade. It requires low to moderate moisture and is a tough heat-loving grass. It is also drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and best planted in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10. 

Pink Flamingo Muhly is one of the most spectacular of the native grasses. It will make an attractive specimen, but for the most stunning display, consider planting in masses or small groups in the landscape.  

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Fall     Foliage:  Summer, Fall, and Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• warm season grass that grows upright and clumping
• tall, linear, bluish-green leaves
• showy, airy pink spiked blooms in the fall
• dormant during the winter

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It has 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.