Diane, I have never featured blue-eyed grass before at Bleeding Heartland. Would you allow me to cross-post this piece as well? (with a link back to your newsletter, as always)
Absolutely, I would be honored. Throughout most of Iowa, the expected species is Sisyrinchium campestre, Prairie Blue-eyed Grass. On my land, in the southeast corner, I find only S. angustifolium, Stout Blue-eyed Grass. (I have found campestre in other parts of the county, just not on my 80 acres.)
That is wonderful. I will add your explanation near the top about the different species. I have seen this at Tipton Prairie in Greene County, but I have no idea which blue-eyed grass was there. This was quite a few years ago.
I also buy my natives from Prairie Moon Nursery and have been for a few years now. I’m like a kid getting a Sears Christmas catalog (really dated myself) every time the Prairie Moon catalogs arrive in the early spring and fall.
This is so wonderful, Diane, Blue-eyed Grass is one of my favorites!
"When I first found a patch of Blue-eyed Grass growing wild..." I showed my husband the two paragraphs starting with this quote, and he said, "Wait, did you write this?" 🤣 Because I did exactly the same thing! 🤣
I discovered it in our old wild apple orchard and was immediately enchanted. I transplanted some to our front walkway where I can tend it and enjoy it every year 💕
If the map of a species shows a green state, that plant is found in that state. If the plant is in a particular COUNTY, then the county shows as light green.
This is a dainty little beauty! I love their silvery blue color and the luster of their petals. 💙 I have only a couple of small plants, so it’s interesting to see how much more visual impact they have in drifts. Mine likely are getting shaded and crowded more than they would like.
Yes, I find that if they get shaded too much, they just don't come back the next year. Mine do disappear for no reason sometimes, so I always try to get new plants started every year from seed or divisions. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Let them turn brown. I bag a stem of capsules after they form, using organza drawstring bags sold very cheaply on the Internet for wedding favors. That way the seeds don't escape. (Don't bag them all, as you probably want some natural self seeding)
These pop up all over my garden in Virginia. Even in my smallish yard, they are quite variable in intensity of color. Your post had me reading more about them. Evidently they speciate rapidly so some are pretty specialized, at least the eastern ones--hence often considered threatened.
I love these plants. Though they struggle in my wild garden where weeding is not so common. I appreciate hearing how you keep them growing. Maybe I'll try that. Do you know how to distinguish them from grasses and sedges when they are in an overgrown area? Grasses have nodes I suspect is part of the answer...
The stem is flattened in cross section rather than round. Same as irises. Well, they sort of ARE irises. To me the buds look a bit like lobster claws. I wish I could put a photo in the comments, but it isn't possible. Thank you for asking this good question.
Aw, I love this. I've always been fond of this plant. Even the name is so sweet! Thanks for sharing some things about blue-eyed grass that I didn't know.
Happiness indeed. What a beautiful flower.
Diane, I have never featured blue-eyed grass before at Bleeding Heartland. Would you allow me to cross-post this piece as well? (with a link back to your newsletter, as always)
Absolutely, I would be honored. Throughout most of Iowa, the expected species is Sisyrinchium campestre, Prairie Blue-eyed Grass. On my land, in the southeast corner, I find only S. angustifolium, Stout Blue-eyed Grass. (I have found campestre in other parts of the county, just not on my 80 acres.)
Post is online now: https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/06/12/iowa-wildflower-wednesday-blue-eyed-grass/
Thank you Laura!
That is wonderful. I will add your explanation near the top about the different species. I have seen this at Tipton Prairie in Greene County, but I have no idea which blue-eyed grass was there. This was quite a few years ago.
I also buy my natives from Prairie Moon Nursery and have been for a few years now. I’m like a kid getting a Sears Christmas catalog (really dated myself) every time the Prairie Moon catalogs arrive in the early spring and fall.
As one codger to another, I have to say I hear you.
This is so delicate and lovely. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks Diane !!
This is so wonderful, Diane, Blue-eyed Grass is one of my favorites!
"When I first found a patch of Blue-eyed Grass growing wild..." I showed my husband the two paragraphs starting with this quote, and he said, "Wait, did you write this?" 🤣 Because I did exactly the same thing! 🤣
I discovered it in our old wild apple orchard and was immediately enchanted. I transplanted some to our front walkway where I can tend it and enjoy it every year 💕
Clearly I am your sister! How neat.
Cool map!! I’m in Alberta, Canada. I checked our area but so far no signs of your special flower,,,,Yet.
I’m a great fan of ‘yet.’
I can’t see why they wouldn’t be around here. lol. The wind blows over that line on the map just like it doesn’t exist!
Looks like you might have Sisyrinchium septentrionale, Northern Blue-eyed Grass
See https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-5928/12-156489
and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyrinchium_septentrionale
So beautiful. I’ll read some more about them and see if they grow in my area.
Where do you live? There is at least one species of Sisyrinchium (mostly named some kind of Blue-eyed Grass) in every state. (Maps showing where they all are: https://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Sisyrinchium)
If the map of a species shows a green state, that plant is found in that state. If the plant is in a particular COUNTY, then the county shows as light green.
Beauties!
Lovely photos and description of blue-eyed grass. I spot one or two each year along one of our woodland trails in Van Buren.
Thx for pointing them out. I'll keep an eye out for them.
This is a dainty little beauty! I love their silvery blue color and the luster of their petals. 💙 I have only a couple of small plants, so it’s interesting to see how much more visual impact they have in drifts. Mine likely are getting shaded and crowded more than they would like.
Yes, I find that if they get shaded too much, they just don't come back the next year. Mine do disappear for no reason sometimes, so I always try to get new plants started every year from seed or divisions. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Gathering seeds, there’s a thought. Should I leave the seed capsules on the stems until they turn brown, or can I gather while green? 🤔
Let them turn brown. I bag a stem of capsules after they form, using organza drawstring bags sold very cheaply on the Internet for wedding favors. That way the seeds don't escape. (Don't bag them all, as you probably want some natural self seeding)
Thank you!
Was delighted to find it growing in our lawn in SE Virginia years ago. I’ve moved clumps into my beds and enjoy the flowers every spring!
That makes me happy. Thanks for sharing!
These pop up all over my garden in Virginia. Even in my smallish yard, they are quite variable in intensity of color. Your post had me reading more about them. Evidently they speciate rapidly so some are pretty specialized, at least the eastern ones--hence often considered threatened.
There are about 40 species, most with limited range. But there's at least one that is native in every state. Thanks for commenting
I love these plants. Though they struggle in my wild garden where weeding is not so common. I appreciate hearing how you keep them growing. Maybe I'll try that. Do you know how to distinguish them from grasses and sedges when they are in an overgrown area? Grasses have nodes I suspect is part of the answer...
The stem is flattened in cross section rather than round. Same as irises. Well, they sort of ARE irises. To me the buds look a bit like lobster claws. I wish I could put a photo in the comments, but it isn't possible. Thank you for asking this good question.
Aw, I love this. I've always been fond of this plant. Even the name is so sweet! Thanks for sharing some things about blue-eyed grass that I didn't know.
Thanks for your sympathetic reading, Jeanne, and for commenting!