Grass · Deer-resistant
Gulf Muhly
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Also called: Pink Muhly Grass, Hairawn Muhly
For a few weeks each fall this clump grass erupts into a cloud of glowing pink — the most spectacular native ornamental grass for the South.
Growing & care
Cut back to a few inches in late winter before new growth. Needs sharp drainage and full sun for the best color. Zero supplemental water once established.
Bloom season
In bloom: Sep–Nov · Colors: pink
Where to buy
Look for gulf muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) at: native Texas nurseries, Prairie Moon Nursery, local garden centers.
Sources
Range, nomenclature, and the USDA symbol above come from the federal plant record for this species. Check it yourself:
Muhlenbergia capillaris (MUCA2) in the USDA PLANTS Database →
Good for
Plant it with
Natives that pair with gulf muhly
Same conditions, same uses — species that share gulf muhly's growing requirements and belong in the same bed.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
The backbone grass of the American prairie, turning coppery-mahogany in fall and silver-tufted in winter.
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
An upright prairie grass with airy pink-bronze seed clouds and gold fall color.
Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
A vigorous semi-evergreen climber that covers a fence or arbor in orange-red trumpets in early spring — timed for the first returning hummingbirds.
Inland Sea Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
The rare ornamental grass that thrives in shade, dangling flat, papery seed heads that shift from green to bronze and rustle all winter.
Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
An adaptable evergreen holly that takes sun or deep shade, wet or dry, and covers itself in translucent red berries that hold all winter for the birds.
Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
North America's true native turf grass — a fine, soft, blue-green sod that forms a low lawn on a fraction of the water Bermuda or St.