Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Lucerne' Blue-Eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Lucerne' has fine, grass-like foliage and bright blue to purple, star-shaped flowers with gold centers. Also called Blue-Eyed Grass, it blooms for 8-10 weeks in late spring and early summer. It blooms are larger and more abundant than the species. It is visited by various native bees and pollinating flies. Songbirds eat its seeds. Sisyrinchium angustifolium is native to much of North America, including eastern Canada, south to Florida, west to Texas and Minnesota. It is typically found growing in floodplains, along woodland edges and clearings, on riverbanks, on roadsides and in moist meadows. Sisyrinchium angustifolium prefers sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Plants may self sow where happy. Avoid heavy mulch which may encourage crown rot. A careful look at the plant will reveal its kinship to Irises.