Chameleon Little Bluestem Grass

Chameleon Little Bluestem, also known as Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Chameleon’, has eye catching variegation with bright white-and-green, striped, strappy leaves in summer, changing as fall approaches to develop a notable flush of pink and purple hues adding to its complex look Ideal planted in borders, containers, and well-used for erosion control. Graceful burgundy-red seed heads appear in fall, creating a beautiful showy display, particularly when the sun is low and the seedheads are backlit.  

Chameleon Little Bluestem grows in Hardiness Zones 3-9, and is a tightly formed Schizachyrium reaching a balanced height and width of 2 ft. This drought-tolerant grass features an upright, arching vase shape and is perfect for lining a border or grouping in a sunny location to add form, color, and texture to landscapes. 

Chameleon Little Bluestem Care

Plant Chameleon in full sun and in well-draining soil. Chameleon Little Bluestem requires very little maintenance and becomes more drought tolerant once fully established. Water regularly when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and then less frequently but deeply after the first growing season. 

To maintain its shape and promote healthy growth, remove any dead or damaged foliage by shearing back Little Bluestem to a few inches in early spring. This grass can be planted in containers and placed in sunny locations on the deck or patio. Be sure the planter has a 2-ft opening and adequate drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. If planted in containers, additional winter protection may be required, particularly in colder climates with harsh winters. 

Chameleon Little Bluestem Spacing

If planting Chameleon Little Bluestem in groups, visualize how much space will be needed for this native grass to reach 2 ft wide and space accordingly. When planted as a lower-growing border or edging, determine if you would like the blades touching or not; this symmetrically formed plant is well suited for both informal and formal garden styles.  

Chameleon Little Bluestem Grass Information