Muhlenbergia rigens has long been one of our favorite ornamental grasses, but it’s virtually unknown outside of its native range in the Southwest US. The narrow, grey green foliage of deer grass creates a spectacular 3′ tall arching clump that’s only 1′ wide at the base. Starting in mid-October (NC), the clumps are topped with narrow but showy plumes that reach 6′ tall and transform the clump into an 8′ wide mass of flowers. Muhlenbergia rigens is great as an individual drought tolerant specimen, or used in large mass plantings.
