Water Wise Plants

muh-len-BER-jee-ah DOO-bee-uh

Pine Muhly

Grass

2 ft. to 3 ft. wide and tall with plumes rising 4 ft. to 5 ft.

Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet

Full sun

No flowers

Muhlenbergia dubia from the southwest U.S. is a favorite grass for the summer dry garden. It looks very similar to the more common Muhlenbergia rigens (deer grass), but it is a third of its size. That makes this plant a better choice for pots and small spaces.

Like most grasses Muhlenbergia dubia really shines in the fall when its graceful leaves add movement and texture to the garden.

PADG notes: Every spring, older growth is raked out to encourage new green leaves. Every three years, the plant is sheared down the ground. No other maintenance is done for this plant.