Chameleon Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Chameleon')
skiz-ah-KEER-ee-um skoe-PAR-ee-um 'Chameleon'
Deciduous Perennial Arching, Clump-Forming in the Poaceae Family
A patented little bluestem selection grown for green-and-white variegated foliage that flushes pink to purple as the weather cools.
'Chameleon' (PP31,339) is a variegated Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) selection -- its arching blades are green edged in white through the growing season, then take on a pink-to-purple flush as temperatures drop in fall. Tan flower plumes appear above the foliage in fall on a compact, clump-forming plant.
Pros
Distinctive green-and-white variegated foliage
Pink-to-purple fall color shift
Compact size suits smaller gardens and containers
Drought tolerant once established
Cons
Patented -- propagation restricted to licensed growers
Breeder not documented in sources checked
Plant Data
Mature Size
18 - 24 inches
tall. 15 - 20 inches
wide.
Growth Rate
Moderate
Sun Exposure
Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance
Medium : Dry to medium. Drought tolerant once established.
Zones
3a - 10b
(Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags
Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Colorful Foliage, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Full Sun, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Borders, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Grasses, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Most Popular, Nativar, Normal Soil, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Rabbit Resistant, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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No Pricing or Availability Right Now
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region.
It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!