Western Native Muhly Grasses

When it comes to ornamental grasses, the bulk of the most common offerings are species native to Asia, and more recently the US Prairie states.  While there are many incredible selections to love, we also think it’s worth shining a light on some species that hit a little closer to home and have the kind of toughness we need these days.   The following Muhlenbergias may not be as flashy as other grasses, but they make up for that with rugged versatility.  Plus, their evergreen foliage and architectural presence can be quite useful, especially in deer country where shrub options can be limited.   They also add habitat value to any planting, providing both seed forage for birds and nesting material (or straight up housing) to small mammals and beneficial insects.   Maintenance needs are fairly minimal as well – cutting back flowering spikes annually in late winter or giving the whole clump a refresh every couple of years (or when it looks more tan and green) by cutting it back to about 6-8″ is all that is required.

Muhlenbergia dubia is found between 3300-5000 elevations in the Chihuahuan desert mountains, throughout the southwest and into northern Mexico.   That info alone tells a story of toughness to be admired – not only confirming adaptability to hot and dry conditions with poor, rocky soils, but also to colder temps.   Full sun and decent drainage, along with minimal to average irrigation are the evident preferences.  Commonly referred to as Pine Muhly, this understated grass likely gets its name from the pine green color and spiky quality of its foliage.  Despite the stiff look, the overall dome of thin blades has a fine texture that adds softness to compositions with bolder Yucca, Agave and Opuntia friends.  This Muhlenbergia highly resembles its cousin Deer Grass, just in a petite, and therefore very useful, form.  Reaching a nicely rounded 2-3′ tall and wide, it is much easier to incorporate into plantings of any scale, or even use en masse for a swath of low maintenance filler.  During late summer and into fall, thin creamy tan flower spikes explode from the evergreen clumps up to 4′, catching the light and breeze in a subtly beautiful and soothing way, and persisting well through winter.

While Muhlenbergia dubia often grows on ridgetops and rocky outcroppings, Muhlenbergia rigens is generally found in sandy or gravelly washes, canyon bottoms and drainages, as well as moist, sandy slopes.  Occurring in much of the same geographic range, it also goes well beyond- throughout California, into Nevada, Utah and down to central Mexico, though usually at lower elevations.  With this extended range comes more versatility in the landscape; it can handle anything from intense full to partial sun (however too much shade will yield wimpy clumps), regular moisture and even seasonal flooding (as long as there is good drainage), or just an occasional yet substantial drink.  The other distinct difference between the two species is size.  Muhlenbergia rigens, or Deer Grass as it’s routinely called (because of their penchant for using the grasses as a cushy mattress) has a much grander presence.  Easily attaining 3′ tall and wider over time, Deer Grass has slightly fatter leaf blades and a bit more of a floppy, arching habit.  The flower spikes however are equally upright and radiant as in Pine Muhly, just rising higher, to at least 5-6′, in a display reminiscent of fireworks.   Historically, native peoples used the long inflorescences in basket weaving.  A fast grower, Muhlenbergia rigens makes an excellent substitute for non-native Pampas and Miscanthus Grasses, making a for a strong architectural accent, and useful when added into a mixed privacy planting for quick filler.