Idaho Blue-Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium idahoense
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Jim Morefield (www.flickr.com) from Nevada, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Genus:
- Sisyrinchium
- Species:
- Sisyrinchium idahoense
- USDA Symbol:
- SIID
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, violet, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open meadows and moist grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and light exposure. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds were sown into cone-tainers filled with Sunshine #1 (a soil-less peat-based media) amended with micro-nutrients (Micromax) and a slow release fertilizer (Osmocote 14-14-14). Conetainers were covered with poly-ethelene bags and placed in a walk-in cooler for 90 days.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C.