Description
Growth & Care
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 5a |
| Soil Preference | Poor |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Recommended Pruning Method | Spring Cleanup |
Foliage
| Foliage Type | Deciduous |
| Plant Form | Arching |
Flowers
| Flower Period | Summer, Fall |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Flower Fades To | Rose |
| Flower Fragrance | Unscented |
Additional Categories
| Additional Category | Muhly |
| Landscape Application | Massing, Rock, Garden, Groundcover, Container |
Details
Planting & Growing
Undaunted® Ruby Muhly Grass will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 30 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division, however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Undaunted® Ruby Muhly Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
Landscape Attributes
Undaunted® Ruby Muhly Grass is a dense herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration:
Self-Seeding
Undaunted®: Ruby Muhly Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications:
Mass Planting, Rock/Alpine Gardens, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Ornamental Features
Undaunted® Ruby Muhly Grass features airy plumes of ruby-red flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to mid fall that fade to rose over time. The rose seed heads are carried on showy plumes which fade to tan over time, which are displayed in abundance from late fall to late winter. Its grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season.
