Sisyrinchium angustifolium - BLUE-EYED GRASS

Grassy looking native perennial with starry blue eyes in May and June.

1-1.5" tall x 0.5-1" wide clumps of leaves remind grass or tiny Iris, 0.5" wide flowers form round seedpods full of black seeds, that will drop and germinate around the original plant to make dense clump.

Full sun to half shade up to very light shade, average soil with average moisture (medium), adaptable, but prefers somewhat drained soils (don't plant in waterlogged soils).

Flowers offer pollen and nectar to native bees (Halictid bees, incl. green metallic bees, bumblebees and other species of bees) and Syrphid flies. The seeds and other parts of this plant can be eaten by the Greater Prairie Chicken and Wild Turkey (to a limited extent).

Hardy in zones 4 to 9. Native wildflower to eastern half of USA, see the USDA map of distribution.

Best along paths, front of the beds, woodland edges, cottage gardens, rock gardens, where it can naturalize and spread some. It can form dense clumps, but is not ground covering (like some sources say), it is more small filling plant. Cut back after flowering to prevent unwanted seedlings.

Pot size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot

Picture copyright : Aaron Carlson, Flickr