Also they provide three distinct seasons of color. In late winter and early
spring their new growth turns to shades of green. grey, blue and purple.

During their bloom season, late summer to late fall, their showy bloom
stalks range in color from white to tan to brown, purple and pink.

 

Finally, the first hard freeze turns their foliage to bronze, straw, and rust
colors – great for winter. Some of favorites:

 

1. Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
This has fine, green leaves with a silver center strip. Maiden grass can grow
to a height of 4 to 6 feet and can tolerate light locations from full sun to bright
shade. Its wavy flower tops are light tan.

2. Big Muhley Grass (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri)
A clumping blue-green grass native to the Texas Hill Country. It grows 3 to
4 feet in height and width and its feathery seed heads are tan.

3. Bamboo Muhley (Muhlembergia dumosa)
A tough, graceful grass, 4 to 5 feet tall. An Arizona native. It produces bamboo-
like foliage (not invasive) that moves gracefully in the wind. After the first hard
freeze, it changes to a straw color, adding a new season to the landscape.

4. Coastal or Gulf Muhley (Muhlenbergia capillaries)
Grows to about 2.5 feet in height and width, with green foliage. It produces
cloud-like pink feathery seed heads, looking like a mist. Outstandingly beautiful!

5. Dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
Creates white seeds on foliage that rarely grows to 2 feet. Its larger cousin –
purple fountain grass – grows to 4 feet with burgundy foliage and bloom stalks.
This plant is less hardy and has been known not to return after a cold winter.
Mulching and the proper location are crucial to its success.

 

The best way to use them in the landscape is to mass plant them, placing
lower grasses in front of the taller ones. If you have an unused flower bed
and are wondering what to do with it, try planting, in a mass, 3 to 4 Gulf
muhley grasses in front, and place 3 to 4 maiden grasses behind.
Happy Gardening Everyone! 

 [© Chris Winslow 2010]