Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass

Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'

Nature Hills Nursery

Blonde Ambition Grass Features Unique Horizontal Flower Spikes that Wave Like Eyebrows in the Breeze
Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 2-3 ft Tall, 1-4 ft Wide
Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Songbirds

$34⁶⁴

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Plant Size

Quart Container #3 Container

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Full sun is essential for this grass to maintain its upright structure and produce those iconic horizontal seed heads. Aim for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily; any less and the stems may become floppy or fail to "bloom" effectively.
Soil: This plant thrives in well drained soil and is particularly happy in gritty or rocky areas where other plants might struggle. If you have heavy clay, plant it on a slight mound or incorporate some small pea gravel to prevent the roots from sitting in soggy conditions during the winter.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week to help the roots reach deep into the soil profile. Once established, Blonde Ambition is exceptionally drought tolerant and usually relies on natural rainfall alone. If you notice the blue green blades starting to curl or turn brown at the tips during a severe heatwave, a single deep soak will refresh the plant and keep the seed heads looking crisp.

Pruning Tips

Since this grass provides excellent winter interest with its golden eyelashes, wait until late winter or very early spring to cut it back. Think of it like a buzz cut; use shears to trim the entire clump down to about 2 or 3 inches above the ground before the new green shoots emerge. This clearing of old growth ensures the new foliage has plenty of light and space to grow without being choked out by last year's debris.

Fertilizer Needs

Use a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring as the new growth begins to appear. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall because this can force tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. Over fertilizing can also cause the grass to grow too fast and lose its sturdy, upright habit, making it fall over under its own weight.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

At Nature Hills, we are big fans of native and ornamental grasses in the landscape! They add rich texture, fun movement and grand style wherever they are planted. There are hundreds of grass options to choose from, but it seems that you only see a handful when you drive around your neighborhood.

It's time for something new! Something to excite the garden. Something to shock the neighbors. It's time for Blonde Ambition Blue Gamma Grass (Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition')! The flowers are held horizontally above the leaves in an eyebrow or mustache fashion, unlike any other ornamental grass on the market today! They bobble and wave in the breeze for motion and textural interest.

Blonde Ambition is a bigger version of our native Blue Gamma Grass. The base of this beautiful grass is blue-green upright foliage. In mid-summer 3-foot tall spikes of showy chartreuse-colored flowers rise up on stiff stems that hold up through all kinds of weather. This includes heavy snow, which means that you have 6-8 months of garden texture and color from these great plants. By late summer to autumn, the curious flower heads fade to tan for the remainder of the year.

Planting and Application:

This is an extremely cold hardy grass and grows in almost any soil. Blonde Ambition is native to 26 states and performs well almost everywhere else, so we're sure that it will fit into your garden. Use as an eye-catching specimen plant because of the unique blooms, or as accents interspersed among other native grasses, perennials and wildflowers for a lovely informal display. Try planting with the equally unique Sideoats Grama and Northern Sea Oats grasses for an incredibly unique show!

Create naturalized prairies and en masse swaths of native grasses for wildlife and beneficial insects to thrive in. Low water usage perennial grasses are ideal along the 'hellstrip' by the road or along a path, in drought-prone areas and in rock gardens! Add this beautiful low-maintenance, water-wise grass to your landscape for carefree style and a fresh new look. It looks great in any style garden from contemporary to rustic.

Incredibly Unique Seedhead Display
Fast Growing Low-Maintenance Native
Bright Soft Blue-Green & Fine Texture
Winter Interest
Great in Bouquets, Borders, Beds & Hedges

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Grama Grasses do best in full sun and partial shade, preferring at least 5-6 hours of sun a day for the strongest stems and growth. Plant in a very well-drained site with moderate, consistent moisture while establishing, but afterward these are drought tolerant perennial grasses! Warm-season grasses may green up later in the spring, but really shine once the hot, dry summer weather kicks in!

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Moderate to Low Moisture
Prune Warm-Season Grasses in Early Spring to Clean Mound
Well-Drained Moderate Fertility
Drought Tolerant & Water-Wise

Give Blonde Ambition a chance! We think it might just be your new favorite ornamental grass, too! Order today at NatureHills.com and enjoy native plants delivered to your doorstep!

Botanical Name

Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'
Class

Poales
Species

gracilis
Cultivar

Blonde Ambition
Growing Zones

4-9
Height

2-3 ft
Width

1-4 ft
Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

Green
Leaf Color

Blue, Green
Fall Color

Tan or Straw Colored
Native

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall, Late Winter
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soil does Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass prefer?

Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass grows in almost any soil type, making it extremely adaptable. This drought-tolerant native thrives in poor soils where other grasses struggle. Plant it in well-draining soil for best results, though it handles clay and sandy conditions equally well.

Is Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass drought tolerant?

Yes, Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass is extremely drought tolerant and thrives in low water conditions. This native grass performs well in drought-prone areas, hellstrips, and rock gardens where water is scarce. Plant it in well-draining soil and you'll have a beautiful, water-wise specimen available at naturehills.com.

How fast does this ornamental grass grow?

Blonde Ambition Blue Grama is a moderate grower that reaches its full 3-foot height by mid-summer when the showy chartreuse flower spikes emerge. This drought-tolerant native establishes quickly in most soils and provides 6-8 months of garden interest from summer through winter. Plant in spring for best first-year establishment.

What plants pair well with Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass in a landscape design?

Blonde Ambition pairs beautifully with Sideoats Grama and Northern Sea Oats for a striking native grass display. It also works well interspersed among native perennials and wildflowers in informal prairie-style plantings. Plant in groups or as specimen accents in rock gardens and drought-prone areas where its unique horizontal flower spikes can shine.

Does this grass spread aggressively or is it clump-forming?

Blonde Ambition Blue Grama is a well-behaved clump-forming grass that won't spread aggressively through your garden. This native grass forms neat upright clumps with 3-foot flower spikes, making it perfect for specimen planting or mixing with other perennials. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance addition to your landscape.