Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon) - have been cut. back

Basics: zones 4-9, 24-36" x 24-30", full sun to part sun, little "eyelash" shaped blooms appear during mid summer atop numerous thin stems and are held high above and parallel to the ground. The actual foliage clump is held close to the ground and the height of the plant is when it is in bloom. Drought tolerant. Likes well-drained, lean conditions, but not picky as to pH.

Common names: 'Blonde Ambition' is a patented cultivar of Blue Grama Grass. This selected variant was originally discovered in a wild population in New Mexico by David Salman who died in 2022. David Salman was a pioneer of and passionate advocate for waterwise gardening who founded High Country Gardens and had a distinguished career in horticulture.

Family: Poaceae

Origin/Distribution: the species is native in western North America from southern Canada to southern Mexico

Habitat: According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center this is a dominant grass in dry, shortgrass prairie ecosystems. It is also an understory grass in moister, more fertile open situations with a greater number of competitive species.

More: 'Blonde Ambition' has been bred for taller and more prominent blooms than the species. This warm season grass is VERY drought tolerant and has possibilities as part of a lawn replacement scheme as it can be mowed, although it is more drought tolerant if left tall.  It can also be used as forage and therefore I suspect it is not resistant to herbivores. The blooms and resultant seedheads are good for delicate yet whimsical detail in floral arrangements. The seeds will be enjoyed by small mammals and birds. Great for hellstrips and in combination with other ornamental grasses such as our native Eragrostis spectabilis or Schizachyrium scoparium as well as drought tolerant perennials like Symphyotricum ericoides and Monarda punctata. I can also see it with Echinops, Eryngium, Echinacea, et al. This plant will self-sow. The species is a larval host for the Leonard's Skipper, Hesperia leonardus and the Common Branded Skipper, Hesperia comma, both of which are native to Maine. I imagine our other skippers that feed on grasses will feed on this as well.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery