Sisyrinchium Species, California Blue-Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchiumbellum

Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Sisyrinchium (sis-ee-RINK-ee-um)
Species: bellum (BEL-lum)

Synonym:Sisyrinchium angustifolium var. bellum

Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Evergreen

Foliage Color

Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)

Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Medium Blue
Blue-Violet
Lavender

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored