Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - August 02, 2012

From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Transplanting Muhly grass in late summer from Wimberley TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Can I transplant Muhly grass in July/August?

ANSWER:

There are 24 muhly grasses native to Texas. We selected Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly) to do some research on,  because, according to this USDA Plant Profile Map, it is native to Hays County. That does not mean that other muhly grasses won't grow in Hays County, or that Lindheimer's muhly won't grow anywhere else, it just gives us a known native to use an example as we start our research.

First, personally, we would say we wouldn't want to plant anything in late Summer in Central Texas. Both plant and planter could well drop dead in the heat and drought. But, we could find no firm confirmation of our view one way or the other. We did find, in various sources on the grass, the following statements on propagation.

"Propagate muhly grasses by seed or by dividing the root mass in the dormant season."

"Propagation: Divide plants or sow seeds in Spring."

"From seed, direct sow after last frost."'

We think the determinant is how much you want to plant. If you are covering a large area with the grass, it would probably be better to wait. If you are planting one or two clumps as ornamentals, you could do it early in the morning (mind the mosquitoes!), and then water. Even a drought hardy grass is going to need some watering early in its transplantation. This comes down to a use your own judgment call.

 

From the Image Gallery


Lindheimer's muhly
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri

Lindheimer's muhly
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri

Lindheimer's muhly
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Native grasses for central Georgia
August 06, 2011 - We've just bought a 1990 circa house in Dallas, Georgia. It sits on a .62 acre lot. One half of the lot is woods, the rest is lawn. The lawn is covered mostly with weeds and wild strawberries. ...
view the full question and answer

Poolside plants for East Texas
June 18, 2015 - What are the best plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc. for poolside planting in East Texas?
view the full question and answer

Replacing St. Augustine with native grasses in San Antonio
November 04, 2009 - I am hoping to replace St. Augustine on a sloped yard with native grass. I was wondering where I might get information on the prairie grass seed mats used by the TXDOT highway dept to stop erosion. ...
view the full question and answer

Controlling switchgrass in Fredericksburg TX
June 12, 2010 - How do you kill switch grass..too much has grown on our property. Originally planted to stop erosion due to oak wilted trees lost on hill behind house, which worked,but now it is everywhere.
view the full question and answer

Shorter drought-tolerant grasses
August 31, 2007 - We live on 1 1/2 acres near Dripping Springs. We have a variety of grasses, mostly tall, on the back and side of the property. Is there some type of drought tolerant shorter grass or wildflowers or gr...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.