Gulf muhly grass
October 20, 2007
Gulf muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris )
The siren song of a big, full Gulf muhly grass on sale at Red Barn Nursery proved irresistible last week, and I bought two to fill a bare spot in the front garden. I’ve tried growing this muhly before, with little success, but never say die! I simply must have this gorgeous, rosy inflorescence in my garden.
And if it fails to thrive, I’ll just write it off as if I’d bought a lovely bouquet of flowers that lasted a week on my kitchen table. Only this bouquet happens to reside in the garden.
Pam… only a gardener would justify the purchase that way. How many “must have” plants have called our name in the garden centers? It is pretty, I can see why you bought them.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
It’s a new justification I just thought up, Carol. I’m pleased with it. 😉 —Pam
This has been Margaret’s favorite plant that she’s seen in Austin. She was so thrilled to see it in your garden. Thanks for sharing it, and your garden with us.
I was pleased to meet your MIL; I’m glad you both came over. You guys had a nice weekend for garden visits. —Pam
Based on those blooms, I’d say you could definitely write it off as a bouquet in the garden! Gorgeous.
Today it’s raining, so I hope the “bouquet” holds up well. But we did need the rain. —Pam
Well, you know I love the Muehly grass and I have been enjoying the show for about 2 weeks now. I just smile every time I pull into our driveway where it is planted. This will be a definite consideration plant for the new bed I am building.
Great photos!
Thanks, Bonnie. Two weeks is a good show. I hope mine lasts that long. Have you seen the mass plantings of Gulf Coast muhly at the new park by Palmer Auditorium? They’re beautiful. —Pam
I have seen quite a bit of this Muhly Grass growing in the lower elevations here in NC. It is quite fetching in bloom. I will have to check it’s hardiness for higher elevations.
I hope you can grow it. I have such trouble with it, but I keep trying. —Pam
I would have had to have this too, Pam, what a stunner! I hope it thrives for you, but if not, I like your reasoning about buying a “bouquet for your kitchen table”!
It’s easier to justify it when you get a plant on sale, like these grasses. —Pam
Oh Pam,
Your photography is just amazing. The butterflies are breathtaking! We have little gecko-lizzard things all over the place. They get into the house sometimes. They freak out my friends, but they just make me happy! I am so weird!
Isn’t it supposed to be good luck when you have geckos in your house? You must be very lucky! —Pam
I don’t blame you for wanting that grass, it is beautiful. I hope it survives for you, if not you have a great excuse for buying it, as it is a very lovely bouquet for your garden.
Thanks, Robin. —Pam
Pam,there’s a Austin atty, that has a huge family preserve up here that has acres divided into “themes”. I was in her xeriscape garden last week and she had a huge patch of gulf coast muhley just blooming its heart out. I was surprised to see such a huge stand, but I’m sure it’s in the same place as last yr. That garden gets NO water other than what Mother Nature provides. I’ve heard they are sensitive to dampness, so maybe her key to success is neglect. It sure comes back for her up here in Waco. She’s actually n.of Waco on the orginal family cotton plantation. “Gardens” in Austin can tell you all about her garden. It’s amazing. All the statuary/pots/etc have come from them.
Hilary
Hi, Hilary. Thanks for commenting. The attorney’s family garden in Waco sounds delightful. I’d love to see it sometime. Like you, I often see large patches of Gulf Coast muhly looking just great, and so I keep holding out hope that I can have a patch too. Perhaps my heavy clay soil is what does mine in. —Pam