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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: pink muhlygrass
Type: Ornamental grass
Family: Poaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Native Range: Western-central United States
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: September to November
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Description: Pink to pinkish-red
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Drought, Air Pollution, Black Walnuts
Uses: Will Naturalize
Culture
Best grown in sandy or rocky, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Best in full sun. Tolerant of heat, humidity and drought, but generally grows taller with consistent moisture. Tolerates poor soils. Does not spread by rhizomes. May be grown from seed. Propagate by seed or division in spring.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pink muhlygrass is a clump-forming, warm season, perennial grass that is noted for its attractive summer foliage and spectacular clouds of fall flowers. It is native to prairies, pine barrens, and open woodlands from Massachusetts to Kansas south to Florida and Texas. In Missouri, it most frequently occurs in acidic soils in open woods, glades or openings along roads primarily in central Ozark and western areas south of the Missouri River (see Steyermark). Glossy, wiry, thread-like, dark green leaves and stems form an attractive basal clump to 2’ tall. It is the fall flowering, however, that most distinguishes this grass. Masses of airy, open, loosely branched inflorescences (each to 12” long) in pink to pinkish-red float above the foliage in a lengthy fall bloom. Tan seed plumes remain attractive in winter. Plants typically grow to 3’ tall x 3’ wide when in flower. Also commonly called pink hair grass.