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
Bloom Period Fall
Flower Color Tan
Foliage Color
 

Plant Club Content

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with coneflower (Echinacea), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), and other sun-loving perennials.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 07/18 - 10/05

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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.


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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!