January Plant of the Month:
Deer Grass
Written by Lisa Endicott, Horticulture Manager
The Plant(s) of the Month for January are deer grass, Muhlenbergia rigens our local deer grass, and Muhlenbergia lindheimeri also known as Lindheimer’s muhly, sometimes Mexican deer grass. They are two of my all-time favorite plants for gardens in our climate because of their beautiful forms, ease of care (low maintenance), and of course, drought tolerance. Differences include shape: Lindheimer’s muhly is more upright, while our local deer grass is more fountain-like, color: Lindheimer’s muhly is more green-gray, while our local deer grass is green and green-buff, depending on the season, and sun/shade: local deer grass needs full sun to be at its best, whereas Lindheimer’s muhly can grow and bloom in the substantial shade in our area.
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri known also as Lindheimer’s Muhly or Mexican deer grass. This species of deer grass grows and blooms well in partial shade to full sun. It can easily reach 5’ tall and wide at maturity.
In the west Botanical Gardens parking lot, a stand of Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass are lit up in the evening light.
Both species of deer grass are very low-maintenance plants not susceptible to most pests and diseases, and usually only require pruning once a year or even every other year (depending upon how many of the blades have died back), preferably in February. They can be divided in our area after frost has passed in the spring. However, seedlings of our native deer grass Muhlenbergia rigens do tend to sprout readily in the spring with a lot of spring rain or overhead irrigation (not as much with drip irrigation), whereas Lindheimer’s muhly, Muhlenbergia lindheimeri do not tend to reseed readily. Seedlings can be transplanted easily in the spring after the threat of frost, but older, larger grass can be harder to dig out and transplant as the roots are very tough and fibrous.
Interesting fact: In spite of its sort of ambiguous common name, deer grass is not browsed by deer; in the wild deer (does) can successfully hide their fawns by bedding them down in a stand of several deer grasses.
Single deer grass have a beautiful, open form when in bloom.
Caring for Deer Grass:
Plant in any type of soil, as long as it can dry out between summer waterings.
To keep deer grass looking attractive, after established water 1 - 2 times per week in summer (depending on high temperatures and if the soil is drying out between waterings).
Cut back (if needed) for fresh growth ideally in Feb - March in our area, after new growth begins.