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.
Common Blue-eyed Grass flowers are dime size and generally flower in their second year
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
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.
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.