Ornamental grasses have taken the gardening world by storm in recent years. Native grasses, in particular, offer low-maintenance and environmentally friendly alternatives to many fussy perennials and shrubs. Nothing makes a landscape come alive as well as a clump of grass with blades bending and swaying in the breeze. The fine blades provide a pleasant textural contrast to the broadleaf plants in the landscape, and grasses can be had in a wide range of colors. It might be said that wherever a landscape needs a plant, there is an ornamental grass that will fill the bill. 

Gardeners in our area who grow grasses undoubtedly have pink muhly (Muhlengergia capillaris) in their gardens. Few perennials are as easy to grow. All summer long this hardy native grass waves its wirelike stems in the breeze. The real show, however, comes in late summer and fall when purplish-red to pink silky blooms rise above the foliage and give the landscape an airy, ethereal look. 

Generally speaking, muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a perennial, evergreen, warm season grass that is hardy from Zones 6-10. It is clump forming, stiffly upright, and grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Foliage is green in summer but turns tan to light brown during the winter. Flowering occurs in late summer and persists for 6-8 weeks. In winter, ripe seeds turn an attractive tan color, and buff colored clumps give form to the landscape. Look closely, and birds can likely be seen fluttering about and feasting on the ripening seeds.

A Brand New Cultivar

Now a cousin of pink muhly is available. With the cultivar name, ‘White Cloud’, you have probably guessed that the plumes are white instead of pink. This cultivar grows more upright, and its airy white plumes go with anything in the garden. Growing 2½ feet tall and 4 feet wide, this native grass is attractive enough in spring and summer. In fall it becomes a real landscape standout as airy plumes of silvery-white rise above the foliage and seem to float above the garden bed.  

Plant ‘White Cloud’ in a mass at the perimeter of a bed, or use it as a hedge. Use single clumps, plant in small groups, or grow it in a large container.

Culture

Muhly grass prefers full sun, but it is very unfussy about soil. Highly adaptable, it is not only drought and salt tolerant, but also tolerates wet areas and flooding. It takes our summer heat and humidity in stride.

Pamper muhly grass the first year with adequate food and water for its root system to become well established. After that, leave it to its own devices and it will do well. Cut back hard just before new growth begins in spring. New blades will quickly fill in the gap and get ready for another year of high garden performance.