Sisyrinchium bellum
From California Natives Wiki
Species Name: Sisyrinchium bellum
Common Name: Blue-eyed Grass
- Excellent meadow plant, prefers sun, and regular moisture during winter and spring until flowering. Goes dormant in summer, losing some or all of its leaves, and returns with winter rains.
- Plant Family: Iridaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
- Height by Width: 12-18 in. H x 6 in. W
- Growth Habit: Compact tufts
- Deciduous/Evergreen: Summer dormant
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Preference: Adaptable
- Water Requirements: Drought-tolerant to moderate
- Cold Hardy to:
- Flower Season: Spring/Summer
- Flower Color: Purple - Blue
- Endangered?: Not Listed
- Distribution: California and Oregon
- Natural Habitat: Open, generally moist, grassy areas. Woodlands. Elevation: below 7200'
- Care and Maintenance
- History
- Introduced into cultivation in California by Theodore Payne.
- From California Native Plants, Theodore Payne's 1941 catalog: "A charming little plant belonging to the Iris family with light green grass-like foliage and forming clumps often 3 to 4 inches in diameter. The plants grow 8 to 15 inches high and bloom in spring. The flowers are bright blue with yellow centers. Thrives best in heavy soil. Very pretty in borders and rock gardens. Gallon cans, 35c."
- Other Names
- References
- Bornstein, Carol, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien. California Native Plants for the Garden. Los Olivos, CA: Cachuma Press. 2005.
- Harlow, Nora and Kristin Jakob. Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: gardening with California Monocots. Berkely and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. 2003.
- Links
