Sisyrinchium albidum Common Blue-eyed Grass

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Sisyrinchium albidum visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
A small bue flower with 6 petal that have smooth edges.
Common Blue-eyed Grass flowers are dime size and generally flower in their second year
Small littke blue Sisyrinchium albidum flower with seedpods in the background.
Notice the round seed capsules


Cultivation Information Common Blue-eyed Grass


Height - 6 inchesFlower Color - BlueBlooms - May to JuneSun - Full to partHardy Zone - 4 to 9Soil - Medium to drypH - 6.0 to 6.6
Family - Iridaceae (Iris family)
Seed Provenance Sisyrinchium albidum
Prairie Moon Nursery 2016 and 2017 - NOG 2018 to present
These second year plants have not bloomed yet, consequently they look like blades of grass but are actually little iris plants
They may look like grass but are actually small iris plants

Wildlife Significance Common Blue-eyed Grass

Nectar Source - A variety of bees and flower flies frequent Blue-eyed Grass, both for nectar and pollen
Pollen- A variety of bees and flower flies frequent Blue-eyed Grass, both for nectar and pollenSeed - Eaten by wild fowlDeer - Deer "resistant", however, if they are hungry enough we know what happens For more details on this plant visit the Illinois Wildflower website
Alone this iris would be lost, group plantings are recommended. Once the flowers die back seedpods add interest.
One small delicate blue flower.
Even if it is not flowering Sisyrinchium albidum serves as nice ground cover.
Leaves hold up well throughout the season
Propagation Notes Common Blue-eyed Grass
Recommended 60 days cold storage. We had success, planting seeds in the fall, then wintering them over in a unheated cold frame. If it happens to be a warm, dry winter check soil in pots to be certain they don't dry out.