Idaho Blue Eyed Grass
(Sisyrinchium idahoense)
Idaho Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense)
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Matt Lavin
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Matt Lavin
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Matt Lavin | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Matt Lavin | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Sisyrinchium idahoense, commonly known as Idaho Blue Eyed Grass, is a deciduous perennial herb, despite its common name. It is native to moist meadows, grassy areas, open woodlands, and stream banks across the western United States and Canada. It thrives at elevations below 2,400 meters (7,900 ft). This plant typically grows 6–18 inches tall and features narrow, grass-like leaves. The flowers are star-shaped, with a deep bluish-purple to blue-violet or pale blue color, rarely white, and have a distinctive yellow throat, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Idaho Blue Eyed Grass is valued for its low maintenance and the splash of color it adds to gardens, especially when planted en masse. It is suitable for rock gardens, border fronts, and wildflower meadows, and can also be used as a ground cover. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium to high amounts of water, with well-drained soil being ideal. While generally disease-free, it can suffer from rust if conditions are too wet. It is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a safe choice for a variety of garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Idaho Blue Eyed Grass is valued for its low maintenance and the splash of color it adds to gardens, especially when planted en masse. It is suitable for rock gardens, border fronts, and wildflower meadows, and can also be used as a ground cover. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium to high amounts of water, with well-drained soil being ideal. While generally disease-free, it can suffer from rust if conditions are too wet. It is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a safe choice for a variety of garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 0.3-1.5 feet
- Width: 0.4-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Moist meadows, grassy areas, open woodlands, and stream banks across the western United States and Canada
Other Names
Common Names: Blue-Eyed Grass
Scientific Names: , Sisyrinchium idahoense,
GBIF Accepted Name: Sisyrinchium idahoense E.P.Bicknell