top of page

Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium montanum

Family:

Iris family - Iridaceae

Despite its name, blue-eyed grass is an Iris that dazzles with flowers opening early in the day, serving as a nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other small pollinators.

Pollinator garden

Pollinator garden

Details

Emerges 

Seed collection

Flowers

June, July

blue flowers

Blue

purple flowers

Purple

July, August

Height

15

-

25

cm

Lifecycle

Perennial

Width

8

-

15

cm

Habit

Forbs

Upright

Upright

Herbaceous

Herbaceous

Colony-forming

Colony-forming

Ecology

Supports

Supports songbirds

Songbirds

Supports bees

Bees

Supports butterflies and moths

Butterflies & Moths

Supports beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Providing

Provides nectar source

Nectar source

Provides seeds and berries

Seed/Berry source

Serves as a nectar source for bees, butterflies and other small pollinating insects. Birds may eat the seeds.

Habitat

Typically found in

prairie

In the Garden

Growing Conditions

Moisture

Moist conditions

Moist

Light

Full sun

Full sun

Partial sun

Part sun

Partial shade

Part shade

Soil

Average garden soil, Sand

Propagation

Via

Seeds

Seeds

Self-seeding

Self-seeding

Sowing Recommendations

Sow seeds in Fall

Fall planting

Low or difficult germination

Landscape

Use for:

Border placement

Border

Growing Tips

  • Suggested spacing for planting is 8 cm for a denser planting, and up to 15 cm for a more open look.

  • Blue-eyed grass self-seeds fairly easily, but it can be more temperamental in pots. Try planting in pots outside, and keep moist during the growing season. 

  • Seeds may not germinate until second year. If they don't germinate the first year, bury the pots up to the rim for the winter, and check again the following year. 

  • You can also try a combination of warm and cold stratification periods indoors.

Description

Short, slender tufted plant with grass-like leaves and small, purplish-blue flowers. This delicate looking plant works well in the garden as a border or grouped with other similar-sized plants. 

Despite the name, blue-eyed grass is an Iris with flowers that open early in the day, and close by midday. 

bottom of page