Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Mertensia virginica en masse.
Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Grasses & Sedges / Muhlenbergia capillaris
(Hair-awn or Pink Muhly)

Muhlenbergia capillaris
(Hair-awn or Pink Muhly)

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) in June at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
Drifts of muhly grass in a naturalistic landscape at the National Garden, USBG
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) in landscape in October. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-10-03, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) in October at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) in November at Norfolk Botanical Gardens.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) in November at Green Spring Gardens.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) ) in March.

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

Grass / Sedge Early Fall Plant & Seed Heads, Mid-Fall Plant Height: 2–3 feet Spread: 2–3 feet Bloom Color: Pinkish-red Characteristics Clumping perennial grass with a rounded crown Low tufts of glossy green arching blades Airy rosy-red plumes September to November Russet to tawny autumn color Tan seed plumes persist in winter Attributes Tolerates poor soil, drought, flooding, heat, humidity, air pollution, salt, and Black Walnut No serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Tough and very adaptable Multi-season interest Attracts beneficial insects like lady beetles; pro- vides cover for birds and perching places for butterflies Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Well-drained Pennisetum setaceum - Fountain Grass Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Propagate by division in spring Use as an accent or screen or en masse in mixed borders or in beachfront or meadow gardens *It is native to DC and to Montgomery County, MD. It is historical in the Piedmont of DE and extirpated in PA. In VA, it is rare in the Coastal Plain, infrequent in the mountains and infrequent to locally common in the Piedmont, where it is native to NoVA in Fairfax County. Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly)

The thin blades of this spectacular species droop at the tips to form a fine textured skirt for the airy, rosy-red plumes displayed in a spherical crown. The genus name of this plant honors Henry Muhlenberg whose study of plants earned him distinction as America’s first outstanding botanist.

*It is native to DC and to Montgomery County, MD. It is historical in the Piedmont of DE and extirpated in PA. In VA, it is rare in the Coastal Plain, infrequent in the mountains and infrequent to locally common in the Piedmont, where it is native to NoVA in Fairfax County.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Back to Top