Prairie Blue-Eyed Grass
(Sisyrinchium campestre)
Prairie Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium campestre)
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aarongunnar
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
aarongunnar
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: aarongunnar | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: aarongunnar | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-05-21T13:49:11-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sisyrinchium campestre, commonly known as Prairie Blue-eyed Grass or White-eyed Grass, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the iris family. It is native to prairie grasslands and meadows in central North America, particularly thriving in areas with calcareous soils. This species typically grows 3 to 10 inches (8 to 25 cm) tall, forming dense clumps over time through the production of offsets. The foliage is grass-like, with narrow leaves that are 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 in) wide. The flower stems are about as long as or slightly longer than the leaves. During late spring and early summer, it blooms for about three weeks, displaying white to pale blue flowers with striking yellow centers. The flowers are modest in size but can add a delicate charm to garden settings.
Prairie Blue-eyed Grass is valued for its drought tolerance, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. It is often used in rock gardens, borders, and native plant gardens, where it can provide ground cover and attract pollinators. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate light shade and requires medium amounts of water with well-drained soil. Gardeners should be aware that although it is not aggressive, it can self-seed in favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Prairie Blue-eyed Grass is valued for its drought tolerance, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. It is often used in rock gardens, borders, and native plant gardens, where it can provide ground cover and attract pollinators. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate light shade and requires medium amounts of water with well-drained soil. Gardeners should be aware that although it is not aggressive, it can self-seed in favorable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.5-1 feet
- Width: 0.3-0.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Prairie grasslands and meadows in central North America
Other Names
Common Names: White-Eyed Grass
Scientific Names: , Sisyrinchium campestre, Sisyrinchium campestre var. kansanum, Sisyrinchium kansanum, Sisyrinchium campestre f. albiflorum, Sisyrinchium campestre f. campestre, Sisyrinchium flaviflorum, Bermudiana campestris,
GBIF Accepted Name: Sisyrinchium campestre E.P.Bicknell