Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' (Blue Grama Grass)

Bouteloua gracilis is a dense, clump-forming, warm season grass noted for its brush- or eyelash-like flower spikes which, in the case of 'Blonde Ambition,' appear bright yellow before turning to seed, after which they bleach to an almost platinum blonde color. Closely related to sideoats grama, 'Blonde Ambition' blue grama is more limited in its native range. Although its namesake seeds and flowers are considered pretty showy, this cultivar is also a show-stopper with its size, growing to 2-3' tall and wide, much larger than the parent species.

With blue-gray leaves that turn to brilliant displays of golden bronze and red in the fall, and persistent seed heads that hang around through the late fall, Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' is an excellent ornamental with a ton of multi-season appeal. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, 'Blonde Ambition' is also a reliable food source for a number of birds and small mammals, as well as a number of butterflies, which use the grass's leaves as a host for their offspring. With built in deer tolerance, low maintenance growth habit, and tolerance of dry, poor soils, Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' is a great ornamental pick for flower beds, meadows, and even large containers.