Native plants for a Cape Cod garden

All members of this genus of plants of the Iris family are native to the new world. Sisyrinchium augustifolium is a common species in the eastern United States. In this region there are 6 species of blue eyed grass alone – other eastern species of blue eyed grass are Sisyrinchium montanum and Sisyrinchium atlanticum. The various species are all much alike and separation is based on such characteristics as branching pattern and leaf length.

This plant is best grown in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. it tolerates light shade, but too much of it is no good – I lost some plants this way. Apparently, blue eyed grass will freely self-seed when the conditions are right. I’ve seen this plant along several trails on Cape Cod. Mind you, you will only notice them when in bloom – the plants are very much grass-like otherwise.