Botanical Name: Muhlenbergia emersleyi
Add
Common Name: Bull Grass  
Plant photo of: Muhlenbergia emersleyi
Previous Photo      Next Photo

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Gold, Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

n/a

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Raised Planter

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

  • Description

  • Notes

This Muhlenbergia is a cool season, clumping grass with blue-green, course foliage. It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Its plume emerges late summer and is purple, though it turns a silvery white as the season progresses. The whole plant turns tan with the first hard frost. A southwest native, it is very heat and drought tolerant once established.
Prefers full sun and any soil, as long as it is well drained. Drought tolerant. Some sources list it as a Zone 6, so it may not be a good choice for gardens in our higher elevations, but it is worth trying - just site it where it gets lots of sun and even reflective heat from a building or fence.