Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)
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Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) is a 1-ft-tall perennial herb that grows throughout California, usually in open places where there is some moisture, particularly grassy areas. It can also be found in woodlands and at altitudes up to almost 8000 feet. Its leaves are grassy and tufted. The flowers are small and purplish-blue, varying somewhat in color from a true blue to a definite purple; occasional white-flowering plants are found. It flowers from January to July. After flowering, it dies back to the ground and is dormant over the summer. It prefers some moisture and good drainage, but will tolerate summer dryness. It can be propagated by seed, and self-sows. It can also be propagated by division of its rhizomes, and the flower stems can be rooted. It is moderately hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to 20 degrees F. Blue-eyed Grass is very easy to grow and will easily reseed. Best to plant on flat areas in loamy soils that that hold moisture well. Even though it goes dormant in the summer in dryer, southern areas, Blue-eyed Grass is more likely to survive the summer drought with occasional watering. It's best to plant this at the edges of landscapes for pops of color. This plant is on several fire-resistant plant lists, including FireSafe Marin and County of San Diego. From Calscape.
Grower: Larner Seeds
Other Names Used: Western blue-eyed grass
Family: Iridaceae
Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant Type: Herb
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Bloom Period: Spring (March to May)
Bloom Color(s): Blue, Lavender, Purple
Plant Height: 1-2 feet tall
Plant Width: 3 inches wide
California Regions:
- San Francisco Bay Area
- North Coast
- Central Valley
- Sierra Foothills
- Sierra Nevada
- Central California Coast
- Southern Coast
- Southern California Inland
Ecological Benefits:
- Fire Safe
- Deer Resistant
- Attracts pollinators
Ecological Functions:
- Grows in Containers
- Lawn Alternative
- Groundcover
Habitat Type:
- Sagebrush Scrub
- Yellow Pine Forest
- Foothill Woodland
- Wetland
- Riparian
Human Uses/Cautions:
Skill Level: Beginner
Seed Pretreatment: None

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