09/10/2026
Gulf Muhly grass (a Mississippi native grass) really struts its stuff in the fall and winter!
This grass has a unique texture with spiky, upright leaves that have summer interest. But it’s the plant’s last, grand flourish that really creates landscape excitement. The grass flowers in billowy masses that resemble pink clouds in the landscape. As long as there isn’t a hard freeze, the color will hold all winter. Even after freezing temperatures, the flower heads keep their airy shape.
Now is a great time to plant this native grass. Select a landscape site that receives at least six hours of full sun during the day. Turn over the soil, and work in at least 3 to 4 inches of quality compost. Always set the plant a little bit higher than the native grade of the landscape bed. This aids in drainage, which is always important in our Mississippi landscapes and gardens.
Carefully consider spacing needs. While a mass planting of Gulf muhly grass is gorgeous, these plants need their individual space. Each plant can grow up to 4 feet wide, so plant on 3-foot centers.
Like all ornamental grasses, there is really only one maintenance item that can’t be neglected. In late winter, cut the grass clumps back to 6 inches before the spring growth starts. This trimming will clear the way for the new foliage and result in a nicely formed clump. Don’t be tempted to cut back any earlier, because then you will remove the dry inflorescences that create movement with the wind and habitat for wildlife.
There are similar plants called muhly grass that have similar landscape performance, but most of these have white flower heads. Most garden centers will just lump the different species together and call them muhly grass.
Regardless of what they are called, muhly grass should be in your landscape. Just remember that it’s Gulf Muhly grass, known botanically as Muhlenbergia capilaris, that has the pink flower heads.
