Undaunted® Ruby Muhly Grass Seeds

I purchased 100 Undaunted Ruby Muhly seeds in spring 2020. On May 1 about a third of the seeds were pressed into each of three three-gallon containers filled with Miracle Gro potting soil, pots placed in a sunny location and soil kept moist. Germination appeared nil, but at six weeks, like clockwork, seeds in all three containers began to pop. Once started the grass grew remarkably fast and by late August plants had formed healthy clumps w/ 6-10-inch dark-green blades. On Labor Day the clumps were transplanted to permanent, mostly sunny locations in anticipation of a long, cold Zone 4b northern Michigan winter. Early next spring the clumps were cut back to 2 inches in height. All three survived winter and began to grow quickly as temperatures rose. In summer the plants grew somewhat rounded, about the size of a soccer ball, until August when a heat wave stifled further growth. Plants didn’t grow any more, nor did they die out. There was NO flowering or ruby-like color changes in the fall, just typical yellowing like common grasses, after two full growing seasons. Plants grew into rounded grass mounds but there is no hint of colorful “ornamental” grass yet, but they do show lots of potential. I grade the Ruby Muhly growing experience as a solid B- or 2 ½ stars. In spring 2021 I bought another 100 seeds and followed the same planting procedures and got exactly the same results… three more healthy green clumps, no flowering. The major downside of buying and growing Undaunted Ruby Muhly is the cost of the seeds which is expensive.

I purchased 100 Undaunted Ruby Muhly seeds in spring 2020. On May 1 about a third of the seeds were pressed into each of three three-gallon containers filled with Miracle Gro potting soil, pots placed in a sunny location and kept the soil moist. Germination appeared nil, but at six weeks, like clockwork, seeds in all three containers began to pop! Estimated germination rate 50-60%. Once started the grass grew remarkably fast and by late August plants had formed into clumps of 6-10 inch dark-green blades. On Labor Day the three clumps were each transplanted to permanent, mostly sunny locations in anticipation of a long, cold Zone 4b-5 northern Michigan winter. In early spring the clumps were cut back to 2 inches in height. All three survived winter and began to grow again quickly as the temperature rose. In 2021 the plants steadily grew somewhat rounded, about the size of a soccer ball until August when a heat wave apparently stifled further growth. They didn’t grow any more nor did they die out. There was no flowering or ruby-like color changes in the fall, just typical yellowing like common grasses, after two full growing seasons. I grade the Ruby Muhly growing experience as a solid B. The seeds grew into rounded grass mounds but there is no hint of colorful “ornamental” grass yet, yet they show lots of potential. Wait ‘til next year! In spring 2021 I planted another 100 seeds and followed the same planting procedures and got exactly the same results… three healthy looking green clumps! The only downside of buying and growing Undaunted Ruby Muhly is the high cost of the seeds.

I purchased 100 Undaunted Ruby Muhly seeds in spring 2020. On May 1 about a third of the seeds were pressed into each of three three-gallon containers fill with Miracle Gro potting soil, pots placed in a sunny location and kept the soil moist. Germination appeared nil, but at six weeks, like clockwork, seeds in all three containers began to pop. Once started the grass grew remarkably fast and by late August plants had formed into healthy clumps w/ 6-10 inch dark-green blades. On Labor Day the clumps were each transplanted to permanent, mostly sunny locations in anticipation of a long, cold Zone 4b northern Michigan winter. In early spring the clumps were cut back to 2 inches in height. All three survived winter and began to grow again quickly as the temperature rose. In 2021 the plants steadily grew somewhat rounded, about the size of a soccer ball until August when a heat wave apparently stifled further growth. Plants didn’t grow any more nor did they die out. There was NO flowering or ruby-like color changes in the fall, just typical yellowing like common grasses, after two full growing seasons. The seeds grew into rounded grass mounds but there is no hint of colorful “ornamental” grass yet, but they do show lots of potential. Wait ‘til next year! I grade the Ruby Muhly growing experience as a solid B- or 2 ½ stars. In spring 2021 I bought another 100 seeds and followed the same planting procedures and got exactly the same results… three more healthy looking green clumps later transplanted. The only downside of buying and growing Undaunted Ruby Muhly is the cost of the seeds. In my humble opinion the seed is expensive.