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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Faded Glory


If gardener's dreams came true we would wish our favorite plants to reach beyond their natural bloom cycle and thrill our craving eyes all year long.

Such is not the case in the real world of flowering ornamentals or grasses.

Muhlenbergia capillaris Muhly grass would top my list for extended bloom time if a wish could make it happen.

Newly faded fountains of amber inflorescences garner my praises even as they fade from that remarkable pinky-purple shade we've admired all autumn.

This grass is truly a beauty in every stage and one I highly recommend for autumn impact.

Do you have a favorite autumn bloomer you wish would keep right on performing past the Creator's time table?

14 comments:

  1. There is one called White Cloud http://goo.gl/G5GKG but I ask the question. What's the point since the purple is so beautiful and then fades to white.

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  2. I just bought a one gallon container of the pink muhly grass and can see that it is fading already, boo hoo. I plan to divide it in the spring, like I read to do, so that I can have two, putting one each into our giant cement shell covered planters. I'd love to see an empty field of these, but fields are fast disappearing, as most of them have turned into condos, or shopping centers.

    Happy gardening ~ FlowerLady

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  3. I say I'm going to try this grass every year and still have not. What's the red bloom behind the grass?

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  4. I miss my zinnias, but longing for them helps me to remember to plan for more of them next season!

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  5. That is truly faded glory! I do wish my floss silk tree and nodding clero would bloom year-round. But there's always something to distract us, right when the fading blooms get us down. Here, it is the camellias preparing to pop into bloom...any moment. It seems the shorter-blooming plants are more precious to the gardener, doesn't it?

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  6. During fall I would choose the Anemones. They are the most delicate looking yet tough plants. I really like this grass that you Southerners have that looks like a pink cloud but it would be an annual here.

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  7. Your muhly looks stunning pink or not. I just planted some because of seeing so many pretty clouds of pink around. I'm glad to know that it's OK for mine to be turning beige. I was worried it was not happy. Does this grass re-seed? Most of my fall bloomers are pretty long-lasting, such as the fire-spike and forsythia sage which are still looking good.

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  8. Hi Meems. I had decided to make room, even if space was limited, for the Pink Muhly grass after seeing it on some of the blogs and loving it. Silly me thought it was pink all the time. It is still lovely even without the pink though. I love my Anemones in the Fall.I would love to be able to have Camellias that would be hardy here for the fall. Just waiting on some nice grower to make a hardy one for me. LOL! Have a wonderful week.

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  9. I think my neighbors have Muhly grass, it's very nice but I'm allergic, so I enjoy it from afar. Your photos show how pretty it is even when faded.

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  10. Your grasses are lovely! And I like the new look oon your blog. I'm going to have to visit more often to keep up with you! :)

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  11. Rick,
    I've a true fondness for grasses in the garden. Since I don't have many sunny spots for the blooming sorts I ask the question, too. The purple is outstanding and I'm seeing it in so many more places this year. Lots of commercial sites using it or entrances to big subdivisions. Homeowners will start asking about it if they like it.

    FlowerLady,

    Yes, it is the time it starts to fade but next year you will have two! I have seen lots of it growing wild by the side of roads traveling through central corridor of the state and the northern 'forgotten coast.'

    Darla,
    I think you have some perfect places for it, too. The red flowers are red pentas... growing at least 4 feet tall and blooming all year long. Needless to say, I love them.

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  12. Daisy,
    I planted some zinnia seeds in the veggie garden as late as (end of)June and they are still producing. I really need to pull them out to make room for more lettuce/spinach/collard greens. I keep saying that and hate to do it. This week!

    FG,
    It's true... and that is my next post (the next thing to distract) if I can ever get around to finish writing it...

    That floss tree is worth the anticipation each year!

    Lisa,
    Oh, yes, they are lovely although they grow here ever. I always think of the northern states having so many more choices in 'blooming' grasses than we do.

    Kay,
    The muhly has certainly been an exciting addition. I haven't noticed it re-seeding but not sure of that characteristic. I'm enjoying my other fall bloomers, too. Sasanquas are really opening up.

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  13. Lona,
    Camellias really say 'southern' don't they? But it would be nice for you if you could grow them, too. You and Lisa agree on the Anemones for all year long. :-)

    VW,
    Sorry to hear about your allergy to these charming plumes. I have a sneaking suspicion your neighbors are growing a similar looking grass... don't think Muhly is hardy that far north.

    Elizabeth,
    Thank you... and glad you stopped back by.

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  14. I want grass, too. I like your grass. First though, I need to find ground for the grass to cover. :-(

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

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