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09-OCT-2008

09 OCT 08

pink fuzzy feathery ornamental grass

From Mississippi State University:
"Muhly grass was little known a few years ago, even though it is native to much of the South. Today it ranks as one of the most popular. Its virtues are many, including the ability to return from cold, blustery winters and thrive in high heat and humidity.

The foliage offers a unique, spiky texture and the plant finishes the season with the Grand Finale: the bloom. The bloom gives the appearance of a billowy, rose-pink cloud that moves back and forth gracefully with the breeze. The blooms persist until freezing weather arrives.

To grow yours, select a site in full sun, with fertile, organic-rich soil. Amend the soil as needed with 3 to 4 inches of organic matter like compost or humus.

Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches and incorporate 2 pounds of a slow-release 12-6-6 fertilizer.

Dig the planting hole two to three times as wide as the rootball, but no deeper. Plant the muhly grass at the same depth it is growing in the container, with the crown slightly above the soil profile. Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart, and apply a good layer of mulch after planting.

In late winter, cut the foliage back to the ground before spring growth as resumed. Apply a light application of the fertilizer at the time of pruning and again in mid-summer. Keep the grass watered during the prolonged dry periods of summer for the best appearance. Clumps can be divided in early spring.

Muhly grass reaches 3 to 4 feet in height and looks at home in any kind of garden. Grow in beds with deep pink shrub roses. Place them in front of other grasses like dwarf pampas, purple fountain or black bamboo. Muhly grass is awesome with Clara Curtis or Country Girl chrysanthemums. While specimen plantings are exceptional, try grouping three together for an especially showy display.

In case you are wondering where the name Muhly comes from, it is actually a shortened version of its botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris."

Canon PowerShot S5 IS
1/100s f/4.5 at 8.4mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time09-Oct-2008 17:43:16
MakeCanon
ModelCanon PowerShot S5 IS
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length8.4 mm
Exposure Time1/100 sec
Aperturef/4.5
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias-0.33
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

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