Guide And Practice

Blue Eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium
A small genus of perennials that are related to the Iriss.
The leaves are grassy and narrow and the flowers are star-shaped.
Most species prefer full sun on moist, well drained soil.
Propagation is from division and seed.

* photo taken by USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Sisyrinchium angustifolius ( Blue Eyed Grass )
A semi-evergreen perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 1 foot, that is native to prairies and open woods in the eastern U.S. ( from Minnesota to Newfoundland; south to Louisiana to Florida ). This is a real cool and easy to grow landscape plant.
The grass-like leaves, up to 20 inches in length, are deep green.
The blue ( with yellow eye ) flowers, up to 0.3 inches across, are borne profusely during spring then sporadically during summer.
Every flower stalk causes the death of the leaf stem from which it grows. In years that flowering is abundant, it may flower itself to death.
The flowers are attractive to butterflies.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 ( mulch during winter zones 2 to 4 ) in full sun to partial shade on moist, well drained soil. Plants are generally sheared back after blooming.

* photo taken by Jennifer Anderson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Lucerne
Reaches up to 16 inches x 1.5 feet, with fine textured, Iris-like foliage and bright blue ( gold centered ), starry flowers, up to 0.6 inches, borne late spring to mid summer.

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.


Mrs. Spivey
Reaches a maximum height of 2.5 feet, with white ( yellow eyed ) flowers.
Hardy zones 3 to 7

Sisyrinchium atlanticum
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 2.5 feet, that is native to eastern North America from Missouri to Nova Scotia and south.
The leaves are narrow and the violet flowers are up to an inch across.

* photo taken by Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora


Sisyrinchium bellum
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 2 feet, that is native to California and Oregon.
The grassy leaves form a clump.
The violet-blue flowers are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist to wet, well drained soil.

California Skies
A dwarf form, reaching a maximum size of just 12 x 8 inches, with deep green, narrow lance-shaped foliage and light blue, starry flowers borne in clusters from summer through late autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Sisyrinchium bermudiana
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 1 foot, that is native to eastern North America.
The leaves are up to 2 feet in length.
The blue ( with yellow eye ) flowers, up to 0.3 inches across, are borne during the summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Sisyrinchium brachypus
A fast growing to invasive perennial, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 6 inches, that is native to the western U.S.
The yellow flowers, up to 0.8 inches across, are borne summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Sisyrinchium californicum ( Golden-Eyed Grass )
A semi-evergreen perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 1 feet, that is native to northwestern North America ( from British Columbia to California ).
The sword-shaped leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are gray-green.
The yellow flowers, up to 1 inch across, are borne atop sturdy stems from late spring to mid autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun on moist, well drained soil. Flood tolerant.

Sisyrinchium Devon Skies
A grassy, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 14 inches, that is covered in large, bright blue flowers all summer long.
Hardy zones 7 to 8 in full sun on very well drained soil. Tolerant of heat, humidity, poor soil and drought. Deer resistant.

Sisyrinchium douglasii ( Grass-Widow )
A herbaceous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 foot x 8 inches, that is native to the western U.S.
The nodding, purple ( darker veined ), bell-shaped flowers, up to 1.3 inches across, are borne during spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Sisyrinchium idahoense Album
Reaches a maximum height of 2 feet, with blue-green foliage and white flowers, up to 0.5 inches across, borne on an erect stem.

Sisyrinchium macounii
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 20 x 6 inches, that is native to the northwestern U.S.
The purple, cupped flowers are borne spring into summer.
hardy zones 7 to 8

Album
White flowers

Sisyrinchium striatum ( Yellow Eyed Grass )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 2 feet, with attractive, gray-green, Iris-like, evergreen leaves, up to 18 x 1 inches. It is native to Chile and Argentina.
The creamy-white, star-shaped flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne in large, upright spikes during early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil.

Aunt May
Foliage is variegated creamy-yellow.