Mat Muhly: The Unsung Hero of Native Ground Cover Grasses
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails native grass that doesn’t demand the spotlight but gets the job done, meet mat muhly (Muhlenbergia richardsonis). This humble perennial grass might not win any beauty contests, but it’s the kind of reliable workhorse that every native garden needs. Sometimes going by its synonym Muhlenbergia squarrosa, this low-growing grass has quietly been covering ground across North America for centuries.
Where Mat Muhly Calls Home
Mat muhly is impressively widespread, native to Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48 states. You’ll find this adaptable grass growing naturally from the frigid landscapes of Alaska and the Northwest Territories all the way down to the southwestern deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. It thrives in states including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
What Mat Muhly Brings to Your Garden
Don’t expect showy flowers or dramatic fall color from mat muhly – this grass is all about function over form. Growing just 6 inches tall in a decumbent, mat-forming pattern, it spreads through rhizomes to create a fine-textured green carpet. Its rapid growth rate means it quickly establishes itself, making it excellent for:
- Erosion control on slopes
- Ground cover in naturalistic landscapes
- Restoration projects
- Low-maintenance lawn alternatives in appropriate settings
- Filling in gaps between other native plants
While mat muhly won’t attract butterflies or hummingbirds (it’s wind-pollinated with inconspicuous green flowers), it does provide habitat and potential forage for small wildlife and ground-nesting birds.
Growing Conditions: Where Mat Muhly Thrives
Mat muhly is surprisingly particular about its growing conditions despite its tough reputation. This grass has high moisture requirements and low drought tolerance, making it quite different from many other native grasses. Here’s what it needs to succeed:
- Moisture: Consistent moisture is essential – this isn’t a drought-tolerant grass
- Soil: Prefers medium to fine-textured soils; avoid coarse, sandy soils
- pH: Likes alkaline conditions (pH 7.5-9.5) and tolerates high calcium carbonate
- Sun exposure: Full sun only – shade intolerant
- Hardiness: Cold hardy to -28°F (roughly USDA zones 3-8)
- Precipitation: Needs 10-19 inches annually
Wetland Status Across Regions
Mat muhly’s relationship with water varies by region. In most western areas (Arid West, Great Plains, Midwest, and Western Mountains), it’s considered facultative, meaning it can grow in both wetlands and drier areas. However, in the Northcentral and Northeast regions, it’s classified as facultative wetland, usually occurring in wet areas but occasionally found in drier spots.
Planting and Care Tips
Mat muhly is refreshingly easy to establish if you can meet its moisture requirements:
- Propagation: Grows easily from seed (1.5 million seeds per pound!) or sprigs
- Planting density: 11,000-18,000 plants per acre for ground cover
- Timing: Plant in spring when active growth begins
- Establishment: High seedling vigor means quick establishment with adequate moisture
- Maintenance: Minimal once established – rapid regrowth after cutting if needed
- Fertilization: Low fertility requirements make this grass very economical
Is Mat Muhly Right for Your Garden?
Mat muhly isn’t for everyone, but it shines in specific situations. Consider this native grass if you have:
- Consistently moist areas that need ground cover
- Alkaline soils where other plants struggle
- Erosion-prone slopes with adequate moisture
- Naturalistic or restoration garden areas
- A desire for low-maintenance, native ground cover
Skip mat muhly if you’re dealing with drought conditions, acidic soils, or shady areas. Its high moisture requirements and sun-loving nature make it unsuitable for many typical garden situations.
While mat muhly may never be the star of your native plant garden, it’s the kind of dependable supporting player that makes everything else look better. In the right conditions, this humble grass creates a living carpet that connects other native plants while quietly doing its job of holding soil and providing habitat. Sometimes the most valuable plants are the ones that simply get the job done.
