A picture I've been trying to take...

For the last several weeks I've been trying to take this picture so that I can post it here and tell all my tree and shrub friends about Purple Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris). If you are not growing this beautiful grass, consider it. It is spectacular this time of year. Well, I never could get a good picture, nothing that even remotely captured the subtle textures and colors of this plant. Today I found it in the PF Pictures Forum. My compliments to the photographer!

Scott

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/666591/

Great indigenous grass that puts on a show in fall that is the equivalent of the spring show provided by Geum triflorum. Here's another photo for you from me-

Hmmmm. Kind of reminds me of your favorite tree: Albizia, at least the colors. : ) Pretty grass; I need some. Can I grow it in Branch county, Southern Michigan?

Wow! Another great photo. And that's exactly the way I think Muhlenbergia should be planted--up on a berm. It is a fairly short grass, and it loves dry soil, so getting it a somewhat higher than normal grade benefits on both counts. Great picture, Equil. I'm jealous!

Scott

Equil,

Are you growing that in N. IL or was that picture taken somewhere else? Our perennial grower, as well as many other sources, seems to think that it won't grow up this way. Saw one at Lowe's and was desperately tempted to try it. Quite a funky looking thing without the flowers too.

Ernie

My two favorite perennial nurseries list hardy to zone 7 but if you could buy a clump in the spring it would be worth a try as an annual even. Every year I eagerly wait for mine to bloom. It just started in the last week or so. What a finale to the season.

This grass is planted in the median between Thomasville, Ga and Tallahassee Fla. on Hwy 319 South. It is beautiful, and there is a lot of it so it looks spectacular.

Scott- point and click!

Ernie- photo taken in western TN. Your perennial grower is probably correct. I tried it here twice and it went to plant heaven both times. I've had a few friends who split seed with me and their M. capillaris went to plant heaven too. Don't waste your money buying it from Lowes. I truly don't see any way it will make it here.

This will grow by us and you'll get that same spectacular raspberry wave of color only in spring-

Forgot to mention that this particular photo is one of my favorites out of thousands I have taken. There's just something about it that I really like. I took it at Chicago Botanic Gardens this past spring.

I wished I would have took some pictures of mine, it was beautiful this year. I have already cut mine back.

Scott, I agree, Purple Muhly Grass is spectacular in the fall. It's also wonderful dried - have some from 2 years ago in a vase that looks as good today as it did then!

Great photos Lauren! I'll have to add the Geum to my "list" - that's beautiful! I've been following all the fall color threads and envious of all your photos - too darned busy planting to take many pictures this fall and after the winds last week, there's not much left :(

Debbie

Just so Scott is inspired to continue the quest...here's my wee attempt from the Baker Arboretum in Bowling Green KY, 10/25/06.

It still looks good even when it's cloudy.

Nice VV - especially effective with the rock wall as a background! Forgot I had this picture - here's my wee attempt - growing at the Elizabethan Gardens in NC.