Sisyrinchium angustifolium - Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass

Sizes available: Landscape plug (available 4/30/26), 6.00 ea or 10 for 48.00, pre-orders welcome, mix and match okay

Basics: zones 4-10, 8" x 8", full to partial sun, blue flowers amongst grass-like foliage blooming late spring to early summer, prefers consistent moisture and can take it quite wet. Does not want too rich a soil. 

Common names: Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass

Family: Iridaceae

Origin/Distribution: Newfoundland and Manitoba south into Wyoming, down the eastern seaboard to Florida and west to Texas. Native to Maine.

Habitat: damp, low places, meadows, fields, and open woods

More: This small perennial looks charming planted en masse on a sunny, damp edge. It is short-lived, but spreads by rhizome. Attractive to pollinators and a good food source in the early season. The root and leaves have been used medicinally. The third image included with this entry is an example of a newly established rainwater handling system incorporating a dry stream bed, rain gardens, and a pond. Planting includes Sisyrinchium angustifolium along with Aquilegia canadensis, Iris virginia, Anemone canadensis, and Juncus torreyi.

Nursery: Landscape plugs from Kind Earth Growers or sown at Honey Petal Plants with seed from Prairie Moon Nursery

Image credits: The first image is from Kristine Paulus via Creative Commons through the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. The botanical illustration is by Mrs. Ellis Rowan (Marian Ellis Ryan Rowan) and is from Alice Lounsberry's A Guide to the Wildflowers which is in the public domain. See above for an explanation of image #3 from Wikimedia Commons.