Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Narrowleaf Blue-Eyed Grass)

A dainty but surprisingly tough plant with real ethnobotanical history, narrowleaf blue-eyed grass has been used by Cherokee, Iroquois, and Mahuna communities to ease digestive troubles - while its nectar-rich flowers reliably draw bees and bee flies to meadow and cottage garden plantings alike.

Species Overview

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, commonly called narrowleaf blue-eyed grass, is a clump-forming perennial native to eastern North America, typically growing 12 to 20 inches tall. Despite its grass-like foliage, it's actually a member of the iris family, producing violet-blue, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers on distinctively flattened, branched flowering stems in late spring.

Application

• Rock gardens, borders, and cottage garden plantings
• Naturalized meadow and pollinator garden sprinkle plantings
• Damp open woods and stream bank restoration
• Small-scale accent plantings - charming, low-growing habit

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Moist, sandy soils; damp open woods, stream banks; adaptable to various conditions
• Plant Type: Forb
• Mature Height: 1-2 ft.
• Fall Color: Insignificant/None
• Bloom Color / Period: Blue; April-July
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Hydrology: Mesic-Moist
• Root Depth: Shallow (Under 12 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate
• Deer Resistance: Yes (Rarely Damaged)
• Flood Tolerance: Moderate - A moist meadow species tolerant of periodically wet soil, consistent with this species' already-confirmed habitat profile from earlier work.
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
• Growth Habit: Clumping/Mounding
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees

Planting Guidance

• Forms a dense clump that expands over time and re-seeds freely in favorable conditions; foliage is long-lasting and semi-evergreen, turning more blue-green with increased sun exposure. Historically used by Cherokee, Iroquois, and Mahuna communities to ease digestive troubles.