Blue Eyed Grass
Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium spp.) is a tough perennial flowering grass that is native to parts of North America and South America. Growing up to 12-18 inches tall, it has long, narrow, grassy foliage and bright violet-blue flower heads with a yellow ring center. A great choice for a grass-type border in sunny or partially sunny places in dry or medium water gardens, it has excellent drought tolerance. It blooms in mid to late spring and spreads and grows via underground rhizomes.
Blue Eyed Grass does best in well-drained soils that were watered often and deeply with a slow trickle of water. If the soil is too dry, it can be soaked. It should be kept consistently moist throughout the growing season but can tolerate slight dry spells in the summer if given sufficient time to recover. It should also be kept relatively dry in the winter, as too much wetness can cause the roots to rot.
Blue Eyed Grass thrives in full sun to part shade. It prefers partly shaded spots with high sunshine, but still takes 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight every day for best results. It is very sensitive to excessive heat and direct sunlight, so direct sun exposure must be moderated in order to ensure maximum plant growth and health.
Blue Eyed Grass grows best in temperatures ranging from 45° to 85°F (7° to 30°C). The plant can tolerate cold temperatures up to 10°F (-12°C) if it has a protective layer of mulch over its root system.
Blue Eyed Grass prefers medium humidity levels between 40%-70%, but can tolerate lower levels of humidity. Dry, arid climates will need to be irrigated occasionally in order to keep the plant adequately hydrated.
Blue Eyed Grass grows best in light, fast-draining soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but prefers soils that are slightly sandy or loamy with organic matter. Add plenty of perlite or vermiculite to the soil to ensure adequate aeration and drainage.
Blue Eyed Grass should be fertilized regularly during the growing season. An all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer should be used at twice the recommended strength and applied to the soil around the plant every 4-5 weeks. It is also important to ensure that the fertilizer is well-drained from the soil to prevent root burn or root rot.
Blue Eyed Grass is relatively pest-resistant, but may be prone to aphids, thrips, and spider mites. For the most effective control method, the plant should be sprayed with a pesticide. If the infestation is severe, the plant may need to be isolated from other plants until the pests are eradicated. Additionally, a diluted solution of neem oil can be applied as a pesticide to protect the plant from further infestation.
Blue Eyed Grass should be repotted every 2-3 years in the spring or early summer. Repotting will help ensure that the plant has adequate space to grow and will help it become more resilient to drought. When repotting, make sure that the new pot is only slightly bigger than the previous one and that the soil is a lightweight and well-draining mix.
Blue Eyed Grass can be pruned with scissors once the flowering season has ended. The old foliage should be removed to encourage new growth and to maintain the attractive appearance of the plant. It is important to use sharp scissors when pruning, as jagged edges can encourage disease.
Mulching the plant in the winter can help protect the roots from cold temperatures. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch such as hay, straw, or bark chips can provide insulation against the cold and will help retain moisture in the soil.
Blue Eyed Grass can be propagated from seed or by division. When propagating from seed, the seeds should be sown in a shallow tray of moistened soil. To propagate by division, the plant should be carefully dug up and the root ball divided into separate sections with a sharp knife. Each section should be planted in its own pot with well-draining soil.
Blue Eyed Grass does not need a support structure. The root system is actually more than capable of supporting the entire plant, even when the foliage is waving in a strong wind.
Blue Eyed Grass is a perennial plant and does not go through a true rest period. The foliage may die back after flowering, but it will regrow in subsequent seasons. During the winter months, it should be kept slightly drier than during the growing season.
Blue Eyed Grass is not considered toxic to pets.
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