White Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘White Cloud’) is a popular choice for many landscapes due to its distinctive aesthetic appeal. This ornamental grass offers delicate, feathery white plumes that emerge in late summer and persist through fall, creating a soft, cloud-like effect. Its fine-textured, blue-green foliage provides year-round interest. This grass is low-maintenance and thrives in various conditions.
Planting White Muhly Grass
The optimal time for planting White Muhly Grass is typically in spring or early fall. Select a location that receives full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight daily) and has well-drained soil, as this grass does not tolerate soggy conditions.
Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil to about 12 inches. Incorporate organic matter like compost. Dig a hole twice the root ball’s width, ensuring the top sits level with the soil surface. Place the plant, backfill, tamp lightly to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly.
Space multiple plants 2 to 3 feet apart. After planting, apply a 1 to 2 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Ongoing Care Essentials
Light Needs
White Muhly Grass thrives in full sun. While it can tolerate some partial shade, full sun exposure promotes robust growth and abundant flowering. Adequate sunlight is important for plume development.
Soil Preferences
White Muhly Grass adapts to various soil types but performs best in well-drained conditions. It prefers slightly dry to moderately moist soils and does not tolerate waterlogged areas. It thrives in sandy or loamy soils and tolerates poor soil, generally preferring a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Watering Guidelines
During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week to establish a strong root system, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Once established, this grass becomes highly drought-tolerant, often requiring minimal supplemental watering. Natural rainfall is usually sufficient for mature plants, though deep watering may be needed during extended drought or extreme heat.
Fertilization
White Muhly Grass requires minimal fertilization once established. If growth appears less vigorous, apply a light, balanced, slow-release fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 formula) in early spring. Avoid excessive nitrogen, as this can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowering. Compost or well-rotted manure can also enrich the soil.
Pruning and Seasonal Maintenance
Prune White Muhly Grass in late winter or early spring, just before new growth emerges, to maintain its health and appearance. Cut back the foliage to about 3 to 6 inches above the ground. This annual pruning removes dead or damaged blades, encouraging fresh, healthy growth, and can improve airflow and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Leaving dried seed heads through winter adds garden structure and provides food and cover for wildlife. Cleaning up thatch at the plant’s base in late winter or early spring is beneficial. In colder zones, adding 2-3 inches of mulch before winter provides extra protection from extreme temperatures.
Common Challenges and Solutions
White Muhly Grass is hardy and resistant to many common issues. It resists deer and rabbits, and tolerates heat, humidity, and salt.
This ornamental grass is generally resistant to most pests and diseases. Issues are rare if basic cultural preferences like well-drained soil and adequate sunlight are met. Overwatering or soggy soil can lead to root rot, so proper drainage is important. If self-seeding becomes an issue, deadhead the plumes before seeds mature to prevent unwanted spread.