Blonde Ambition Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition')

Blonde Ambition Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition') is a small, clump-forming ornamental grass with wiry blue-gray leaves. Chartreuse flowers rise on stems up to 2.5 feet tall in summer, followed by blond seed heads that persist into fall.

The foliage turns golden brown in fall and may develop red-orange hues. This selection of a North American native grass prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Growing details

• Plant type: Ornamental grass
• Species origin: North America
• Mature height: 1–2.5 feet
• Mature spread: 1–1.5 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 1 foot apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9
• Light: Full sun preferred; part sun listed
• Soil: Well-drained; avoid wet soil
• Flowers: Chartreuse in summer
• Seed heads: Blond, persisting into fall
• Fall foliage: Golden brown, sometimes with red-orange tones

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance grass tolerates a range of soils except wet ones. It has excellent drought tolerance, but extreme drought may cause browning and temporary dormancy until moisture becomes available.

Use in mass plantings, naturalized areas, native plant gardens, waterwise landscapes, rock gardens, or containers. Pair with barberry, sedum, or yucca where growing conditions suit each plant.

Image credits: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' kz2 and Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' kz1, CC BY-SA 4.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.