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Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed-grass)

Alternate, linear, sword-shaped, grass-like foliage of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) in April.
Flower buds of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) in May.
Flowering clump of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) in May
Dainty flowers of with six sharply-pointed tepals of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) in May.
Flowering tufts of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) at the Glencarlyn Library Community Garden in May.
Tufts of Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) in a residential garden in Arlington, Virginia, in June.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (blue-eyed grass) foliage in snow in December.

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Sisyrinchium angustifolium Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed-grass Despite its name, this charming, low-profile native* perennial is actually a member of the Iris family. Its dense, tufted clumps of sword-shaped leaves increase in size over time, and it can spread in optimum conditions to cover small areas and edge paths. Dainty, star-shaped blue flowers create a showy display from April to June. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Perennial Clump, Flower Close-up, December Foliage Height: 1⁄2–1 foot Spread: 1⁄2–1 foot Bloom Color: Blue or blue-violet with yellow centers Characteristics Clump-forming, semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial Alternate, linear, sword-shaped, grass-like foliage Inflorescences borne singly; flowers w/ six sharply- pointed tepals & yellow eye w/ purplish margin and two green spathes on alate scapes (stalks) April–June Three-celled capsules release small black seeds Freely self-seeds in optimum conditions; fibrous roots, cespitose (grows in dense tufts) Attributes Tolerates drought after establishment; no serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage Ethnobotanic uses—Native Americans cooked and ate spring greens Attracts sweat bees, bumble bees, syrphid flies, butterflies; songbirds eat seeds Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Poor to average, well-drained Liriope muscari, L. spicata – Liriope Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Myosotis – Forget-me-not Water Requirements: Moist (consistently) Scilla siberica – Siberian Squill Water regularly to establish; may go dormant in extreme drought Avoid heavy mulch; divide every 2–3 years Use in border fronts or rock gardens, as edging for paths, or naturalized in woodland gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a–9b *It appears to be common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic 

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Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed-grass)

Despite its name, this charming, low-profile native* perennial is actually a member of the Iris family. Its dense, tufted clumps of sword-shaped leaves increase in size over time, and it can spread in optimum conditions to cover small areas and edge paths. Dainty, star-shaped blue flowers create a showy display from April to June.

*It appears to be common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets