blue-eyed grass

Sisyrinchium montanum

characteristics

Bunched, short-lived perennial with slender, grass-like leaves and bright purple-blue, star-shaped flowers that appear from May to July. The delightful little flowers appear to be floating in the surrounding vegetation; the plant then virtually disappears once it has finished blooming. Reseeds readily in favourable conditions.

Actually not a grass; blue-eyed grass is a member of the iris family.

Starts from seed, cuttings, bare root. Once it gets going on a site it pops up here and there.

habitat

Grows in a variety of conditions; prefers well-drained soil.

uses

Used in the past by North American aboriginals as a medicinal tea.