Post on 14-Jul-2015
Deer Grass – Muhlenbergia rigens (mull-en-BERGE-ee-uh RIG-ens)
Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Native to: CA (coast and foothills) to Texas and northern Mexico. Occurs in canyons, stream bottoms,
grassland openings in forests, chaparral.
Growth characteristics: perennial bunchgrass mature height: 3 ft mature width: 3-4 ft
Warm-season perennial bunchgrass. Evergreen with long, narrow leaves.
Blooms/fruits: Flowers born on long, slender stems above the foliage from June-Sept.
Uses in the garden: Showy accent/specimen plant, background, mass plantings. Good substitute for
Pampas Grass and Fountain Grass. Useful for dry slopes (stabilizer), streambanks, along driveways or other narrow spaces, xeriscape (low-water) and desert gardens, around pools. Pet safe grass. Provides
a nice vertical element in mixed landscapes.
Sensible substitute for: non-native medium sized ornamental bunchgrasses.
Attracts: butterflies and ladybugs; provides nesting site, nesting materials and cover for birds. Forage
for deer.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (including very hot) to partial shade
Soil Not particular. Very tolerant of wide range of soil textures, pH.
Water Once established 1-2 times/month to keep green. Tolerates summer drought (will become dormant and slightly brown) or regular watering
Fertilizer low
Other Best in well-drained soils
Management: low maintenance. Shear (cut back) every few years to reduce accumulated dead material and increase vigor. Shearing should be done in Fall/winter after seed is shed and plant is dormant.
Propagation: from seed: collect seed in fall by bundling flower stalks and beating over bucket or tarp. Direct seed, late spring/summer, and keep soil moist. Germination: 14-60 days. Can also grown in flats,
pots. By divisions: divide in winter, taking divisions from outer edge. Pot up divisions and grow until next fall/winter, when they can be planted out.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-5, 9-14, 16, 20, 21, 24-28 2/10/11 © Project SOUND