Muhlenbergia reverchonii: Going native ain’t bad at all

Muhlenbergia reverchonii with white inflorescence.
Muhlenbergia reverchonii with white inflorescence

The Florida community I live in has an HOA that mandates that all landscape plants be native to the region. This means that all the colorful and robust ornamental imports that people would normally gravitate to are off limits to homeowners.

In some ways, this might have been a negative, given that one cannot select such imported species as the majestic Cortaderia selloana, but I have found that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.



Muhlenbergia reverchonii with white inflorescence

Not only can we prevent the spread of possible invasives by avoiding imported ornamentals, but natives are by default more adapted to the surroundings.

But the main argument that came to my mind is the fact that some of the natives here in the Southeast USA are gorgeous. In particular, a huge white Muhlenbergia reverchonii that I had planted 2 years ago reached its adult form this year, and when it flowered I was absolutely floored by its beauty.

It was like having a ground-hugging cloud in your garden, with even gentle breezes causing the inflorescence to dance in smooth flowing motions.



Muhlenbergia reverchonii with pink/red flowers.
Muhlenbergia reverchonii with pink/red flowers

Even the more common pink variety is stunning, and especially when planted in close masses. When such beautiful species are available as ornamentals, the only path for homeowners is to go native.

As an aside, the white M. reverchonii had been a tiny 3 culmed specimen when I first planted it, and it only took 2 years to achieve its huge adult form. Grasses are just perfect as ornamentals!

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