This autumn, as you cast your eyes about the neighborhood for attractive landscape color and nice fall plants, you’ll no doubt notice ornamental grasses. Unlike most other plants, many grasses are their showiest as the days shorten and the temperatures drop. That’s when beauties like Lindheimer muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) flower and produce seed.
Ornamental grass grower John Snowden shows off the lush growth of Lindheimer muhly in a mass planting in Dallas.
Photo Credit: David L. Morgan
Because Lindheimer muhly is a bunchgrass, it works great as a vertical accent or grouped together in a beautiful waving display.
Photo Credit: David L. Morgan
Be sure to take a close look at Lindheimer muhly’s beautiful fall flower display.
Photo Credit: David L. Morgan
Muhly grasses – and there are several species of them – are at least three-season plants. In spring they emerge with fresh, green leaves. Summertime brings height and maturity. But in fall – especially around October – these grasses show off their best features: graceful, arching seed heads and silvery fall colors. Some gardeners even get a fourth season of interest out of these beauties, allowing them to stand in winter to appreciate their artistic shapes and whitish color.
Of all the muhly grasses, Lindheimer is my favorite. It does particularly well in the prairie grasslands of the Southwest, where it’s perfectly suited to the region’s high-calcium soils. Its mature height reaches 2-5 feet, and it can grow about 3 feet wide. Because it’s a bunchgrass, it doesn’t spread wildly, and it’s not terribly invasive. In fact, Lindheimer muhly is often suggested as an alternative to that monster of the landscape, the ubiquitous Pampas grass.
You can easily grow Lindheimer muhly from seed, and you’ll get landscape specimens in a single season. While it can take light shade, be sure to plant the grass in full sun for best results. If you trim it during the growing season, don’t cut it down lower than 7 inches because mowing it back any shorter may kill it. Also, don’t cut it back when the seeds are ripening or you’ll rob it of its natural beauty in the fall and prevent its spread. If you cut it back at all, take a cue from most gardeners: Trim it back in the dead of winter, when the plant’s dormant.
Although native to the central Texas Hill Country, Lindheimer muhly is said to be hardy as far north as Zone 6. It does well in sand, loam, clay and limestone soils, but it really thrives in well-drained garden sites. Be sure to plant it in about 3-foot spacings for the best show.
I’ve noticed that in recent years, my favorite muhly has made some appearances in local garden centers – which tells me that it’s finally catching on with home gardeners! But if you can’t find it, check with a native plant specialty nursery. Or if you want to see it in all its glory before you buy, ask some local native plant folks where you might see a Lindheimer muhly planting. It’s really terrific to see any time of year, but just like pumpkin pie – it’s a particularly special treat come fall.
