Pink Muhly Grass : Muhlenbergia capillaris Regal Mist

I have to keep the number of plants on my want list to a minimum these days. I have simply run out of real estate to plant many more, especially specimens like this cotton candy of a plant Pink Muly Grass 'Regal Mist' (buy it here).
This incredibly dramatic fall bloomer, shown here in a neighbor's front garden, is a testament to just how exquisite and delicate a grass can be...while simultaneously exhibiting a rough and rugged nature...defying drought, shrugging off high temps, tolerating most any soil type...in most any climate. No fussy dame here, no sir. Think of it as the garden's Miss Kitty, the goodhearted-but-tough saloon keeper from Gunsmoke. 

Doesn't it look SPECTACULAR in contrast to these large leaved cannas?

It's one main drawback for me, however, is that it looks so much more dynamic, vibrant and ethereal when planted in large swoops of pink fluff...(large swoops of empty garden space being in VERY short supply here.) In addition, I think the overall effect of the entirety of the composition requires rather large swoops of its planting COMPANIONS as well. 

I don't know that I would have thought to pair it with Limelight Hydrangeas (here), but the marriage of the two is quite stunning...both en masse, of course.


I MEAN REALLY STUNNING!!


Notice how the light and time of day affect the color, tone and vibrancy of the picture. Sometimes looking hot pink, then lavender, then rusty rose.



Oh, and wouldn't a sprinkling or two of lipstick pink Salvia gregii, like Cold Hardy Pink Texas Sage (here) or Penstemon Hot Pink Riding Hood (here) be a delight?  It would and is.













It almost burns your eyes to look at it...but in a good way.



SURELY, I can figure out a way to incorporate it into my fall border (below), even if not in large swoops... (small swoops, perhaps?). I mean, the color is just PERFECT in a perfectly pink way.


"So lovely", thinks the girl in pink.

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