Blue Eyed Grass

Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum)

Hi there! Despite my name, I am not actually a grass! I proudly belong to the iris family. My slender, grass-like leaves may fool you, but when I bloom, my star-shaped, purplish-blue flowers with a bright yellow eye at the centre make it clear that I’m something special.

I’m a herbaceous perennial, which means you’ll see me return year after year, bringing a touch of magic to your garden from spring to early summer. I thrive in meadows, forest edges, and wetlands, but I’m equally happy in rock gardens, pathways, or the front of a garden bed, where I can show off my delicate beauty.

Butterflies, flies, and bees love me! I offer food and shelter to these essential pollinators, helping your garden flourish. And here’s something intriguing - I’ve been used for medicinal purposes, with my leaves brewed into teas for various remedies, including digestive health and even as a traditional birth control method!

As the sun rises, I stretch open my petals, inviting pollinators to visit. But when evening comes, I gracefully close up my blooms to protect myself from cool temperatures and moisture loss. This natural rhythm ensures I am at my best during the day when bees and butterflies are most active.

While some of my kind have become endangered in parts of North America, I remain widespread, always looking for a welcoming home. If you give me a spot with well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine, I promise to add a graceful charm to your outdoor space.

Let me be part of your landscape, I’ll bring beauty, resilience, and a hint of wild wonder wherever I grow!