Sisyrinchium Species, Stout Blue-Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Family: | Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Sisyrinchium (sis-ee-RINK-ee-um) (Info) |
Species: | angustifolium (an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-um) (Info) |
Synonym: | Sisyrinchium bermudiana |
Synonym: | Sisyrinchium graminoides |
Synonym: | Sisyrinchium gramineum |
Synonym: | Sisyrinchium bermudianum |

Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Dark Blue
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Tuskegee, Alabama
Vincent, Alabama
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Morrilton, Arkansas
San Leandro, California
Jacksonville, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Lady Lake, Florida
Merritt Island, Florida
Miami, Florida
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Valparaiso, Florida
Cornelia, Georgia
Statesboro, Georgia
Statham, Georgia
Cherry Valley, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Petersburg, Indiana
Barbourville, Kentucky
Bellevue, Kentucky
Melbourne, Kentucky
Lisbon, Maine
Ijamsville, Maryland
Laurel, Maryland
Oakland, Maryland
Brockton, Massachusetts
Royal Oak, Michigan
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Piedmont, Missouri
Bigfork, Montana
Bayville, New Jersey
Frenchtown, New Jersey
Middletown, New Jersey
New Hyde Park, New York
Sag Harbor, New York
Burlington, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Thomasville, North Carolina
Glouster, Ohio
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Mc Kean, Pennsylvania
Millersburg, Pennsylvania
Smokerun, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania(2 reports)
Columbia, South Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
Sumter, South Carolina
Brighton, Tennessee
Christiana, Tennessee
Clarksville, Tennessee
Austin, Texas
Hutto, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Uvalde, Texas
Lexington, Virginia
Kalama, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington(2 reports)
Vancouver, Washington
Racine, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jan 23, 2016, JBtheExplorer from Southeast, WI wrote: I bought this plant last year after seeing some of a different variety in a prairie. This is a phenomenal little plant. It's in the Iris family. It's very small but that's offset by how showy its blue-purple flowers are. It seems to do well in average soil as well as in wet soil. As the seed pods dried, I was able to collect quite a few seeds from it last year and I hope to have more growing this Spring. If you have a native garden in the United States, this is a brilliant little plant to consider. |
Positive | On Jun 2, 2015, janelp_lee from Toronto, ON (Zone 6a) wrote: Very easy to grow and propagate by dividing the plant clumps. Here in Toronto, Ontario they remain evergreen through winter just reduce the volume. Excellent for small pot, rock garden or any size of garden. |
Positive | On Dec 5, 2011, Vertrees from Gatineau, Quebec, The most beautiful of all the cultivars of Sisyrinchium is the little |
Neutral | On Dec 5, 2011, amygirl from Lafayette, IN (Zone 5a) wrote: This species is actually native to south Florida. It is found in moist sunny locations within Everglades National Park, including the portion south of Florida City. I've seen it growing in the Long Pine Key area within ENP. I did not realize this species had such a wide native range....up north! |
Neutral | On Jul 19, 2011, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote: Grows in tough areas and self-seeds freely. Cute little flowers when in bloom, kind of plain the rest of the time. Blooms May-June in my garden. |
Neutral | On Apr 10, 2011, beachwalker520 from New Smyrna Beach, FL wrote: This low maintenance plant will do well in full sun or morning sun in my area. When this is in bloom it makes me think of perky happy little faces . |
Positive | On Jan 27, 2009, StolenMoments from Petersburg, IN wrote: Lol... well I bought mine at Lowes... (maybe I should look my yard over this spring!) I loved it and it is so dainty and pretty in front of my mixed border. I have large rocks and it is a great fill around them. I divided with no problems and now have several starts off one 4 inch pot. Excellent in Indiana, mine is in part shade and doing well (even though it says full sun) |
Positive | On May 21, 2008, VwestTN from Brighton, TN wrote: I discovered this wonderful little jewel growing wild in the yard. I carefully collected and replanted en masse. My husband thought I had lost my mind, but now admits it is eye-catching when in bloom. 8-) |
Positive | On Mar 16, 2008, crimsontsavo from Crossville, TN (Zone 7a) wrote: An absolutely great plant. Makes a great smaller border grass for beds, or planted en mass. |
Positive | On May 5, 2007, chicochi3 from Fayetteville, AR (Zone 6b) wrote: They grow wild here and they are quite attractive. They do need a partial shade in this area. When not in bloom, the plants strongly resemble grass. |
Positive | On Oct 13, 2006, carrieebryan from Midland, WA (Zone 8a) wrote: I found Sisyrinchium angustifolium growing wild in my lawn in New Jersey. |
Positive | On Apr 7, 2006, sheilalarry from Punta Gorda, FL wrote: I bought some of these and have moved them around in my yard to find a spot where they would do well. They are now shaded by the house until late afternoon and thriving, with very little water needed. I also see some growing wild in some of the more neglected lawns in town here. Very pretty. |
Positive | On Dec 10, 2004, MotherNature4 from Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: These little beauties benefit from occasional mowing, otherwise they would be lost and shaded out. I find them growing in wet areas as far south as zone 10 in Florida. |
Positive | On Dec 9, 2004, CaptMicha from Brookeville, MD (Zone 7a) wrote: I happened upon a bunch growing in the shade in a moist area of the yard. |
Neutral | On Apr 26, 2002, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: Plant grows well in shade; just a lessening of flowering. Leaves are evergreen, grass-like glaucous green. Great foliage effect for shade gardens. |