Life Span
Annual and Perennial
  
Annual
  
Type
Grass
  
Shrub
  
Origin
North America, United States, Western United States, Southwestern United States, Mexico
  
Southern Africa
  
Types
Not Available
  
Carissa bispinosa, Carissa carandas
  
Habitat
Open Plains, Prairies
  
Coastal Regions, Tropical regions
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-9
  
9-11
  
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 5
  
12-9
  
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
  
H2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Clump-Forming
  
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Blue Violet
  
White
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Light Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Purple, Blue Green, Tan
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Dark Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Grass like
  
Elliptic and Ovate
  
Thorns
No
  
Yes
  
Plant Season
Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer
  
Indeterminate
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Pollution, Drought
  
Shade areas
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Medium
  
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires regular watering, Water daily during growing season, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
No pruning needed
  
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune to control growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
  
Insects, Red blotch, Scale, Spider mites, Thripes, Whiteflies
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Pollution
  
Shade areas
  
Flowers
No
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Fine
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
No
  
Attracts
Butterflies, Flying insects
  
Birds
  
Allergy
Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Hay fever, Pollen, Respiratory problems, Runny nose, Watery eyes
  
Toxic
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Ground Cover
  
Beautification, Bonsai, Cottage Garden, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, soil erosion prevension on hill slopes, Wildlife
  
Air purification, Food for insects, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Cuts
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Seeds, Whole plant
  
Flowers, Fruits
  
Other Uses
Used As Food
  
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Dried Flower/Everlasting, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
  
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Edible, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
BOUTELOUA gracilis 'Blonde Ambition'
  
CARISSA macrocarpa
  
Common Name
Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass, Blue Grama Grass
  
Carissia
  
In Hindi
Blue Grama Grass
  
Carissa
  
In German
Blau Grama Grass
  
carissa
  
In French
Boutelou gracieux
  
carissa
  
In Spanish
Azul Grama Grass
  
carissa
  
In Greek
Μπλε Grama Grass
  
carissa
  
In Portuguese
Azul Grama Grama
  
carissa
  
In Polish
Niebieski Grama Trawa
  
carissa
  
In Latin
Blue Grama Grass
  
carissa
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Lilopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Cyperales
  
Gentianales
  
Family
Poaceae
  
Apocynaceae
  
Genus
Bouteloua
  
Carissa
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Carisseae
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Rauvolfioideae