Non-invasive grass to plant

Q: I am wondering about adding some native grasses to our landscape. They are

1) Muhlenbergia dumosa, bamboo muhly;

2) Muhlenbergia rigens, deer grass; and

3) Stipa tenuissima, Mexican thread grass.

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I know some grasses are invasive so I am concerned about them. Are there problems with them being invasive in other people’s yards or over populating?

A: Our friends at the Natural Resources Conservation Service are experts in this area and they say the Muhlenbergia species are native to Arizona and are commonly used in landscaping here. Bamboo muhly typically spreads very slowly by rhizomes and doesn’t readily re-seed. Deer grass also doesn’t really “move around” in the landscape. I wouldn’t suggest the use of Mexican feather/thread grass in landscapes as it does have the potential to become invasive.

Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Email: plwarren@cals. arizona.edu