About
Sisyrinchium californicum, the golden-eyed grass, is a semi-evergreen, rhizomatous perennial with sword-shaped, grey-green leaves to 15 cm and bright-yellow, star-shaped flowers on flat-winged stems in late spring and early summer. A rewarding and ornamental blue-eyed grass for a sunny, moist, well-drained border or rock garden.
About the genus
Sisyrinchium are annuals or rhizomatous perennials forming clumps of narrowly sword-shaped leaves with erect stems carrying star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in spring or summer. Excellent plants for a sunny, well-drained border or rock garden.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Clay
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Grass Like
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal
Native toW USA
Care notes
CultivationGrow in boggy conditions, or in an aquatic planting basket on a pond shelf, using loam or specialist aquatic potting soil. May have the potential to become a nuisance as seeds prolifically
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division or seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free