This selection of the warm season, perennial Blue Grama grass was bred for its improved flower color and performance over the straight species. Its stiff, bristly flower heads float horizontally above the foliage on 12 to 18 inch tall stalks, appearing in summer and holding into winter. Flower heads emerge chartreuse and age to light blonde, hence the name. ‘Blonde Ambition’ is a versatile grass that can be used in mass plantings in a meadow garden or as a flowering accent in smaller gardens. Performs best in full sun in a wide variety of soil types as long as they are well-draining. Extremely heat and drought tolerant, it prefers occasional to infrequent watering once established to maintain a lively appearance. Goes fully winter dormant.
In our experience, Blonde Ambition goes completely dormant in the winter regardless of the low temperatures, similar to the behavior of most Miscanthus varieties. This is in contrast to many of the other strains of the straight species we grow that retain some green during the winter except in the coldest years. And while many of the lower growing Bouteloua gracilis forms do not require annual pruning, Blonde Ambition requires a hard pruning in mid-late winter to refresh the plant for the following year. Without this pruning the plant can take on an unattractive appearance the following growing season. It should be emphasized that this cultivar is particularly tall/large in comparison to the typical species grown.
Unlicensed propagation of this plant is prohibited. Oddly enough , even with this protection, we have seen various ‘forms’ of Blonde Ambition floating around in the marketplace.
- Common Name:
- Blue Gamma Grass Selection
- Mature Height:
- 2-3'
- Mature Spread:
- 2-3'
- Exposure:
- Sun/Part Sun
- Growth:
- Winter Dormant
- Flower Color:
- Tan
- Foliage Color:
- Green
