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Olsynium douglasii (Grass Widow)

Grass Widow, Purple-Eyed Grass, Purple Rush Lily, Purple Snowdrop, Spring Bell, Spring Satin Flower, Sisyrinchium douglasii, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum

AGM Award
Olsynium douglasii, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Grass Widow, Purple-Eyed Grass, Purple Rush Lily, Purple Snowdrop, Spring Bell, Spring Satin Flower, Sisyrinchium douglasii, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum, Purple Flowers

Olsynium douglasii (Grass Widow) is a clump-forming perennial noted for its dense tuft of narrow, sword-like, light-green leaves and its brilliant, intense reddish-purple flowers in early spring. Bowl-shaped, the satiny, nodding flowers are borne atop upright stems among the rush-like foliage. Grass Widow is a terrific plant for rock gardens or alpine houses.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 10 in. tall (25 cm) and 6 in. wide (15 cm).
  • Performs best in partial shade in moist, humus-rich, moderately fertile, well-drained soils.
  • Generally pest and disease free.
  • Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn.
  • Occurs mostly west of the Cascade Range, from British Columbia south to northern California.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 3 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Sisyrinchium
Common names Grass Widow
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Height 8" - 10"
(20cm - 25cm)
Spread 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants California, United States, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Nevada, Rocky Mountains, Utah
Garden Uses Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needletip Blue-Eyed Grass)
Sisyrinchium mucronatum, Needletip Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium intermedium, Sisyrinchium atlanticum, perennial plants, long-lasting flowers, Blue Flowers
Sisyrinchium mucronatum (Needletip Blue-Eyed Grass)
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Sisyrinchium californicum (Golden Blue-Eyed Grass)
Sisyrinchium californicum, Golden Blue-Eyed Grass, Californian Satin Flower, Yellow-Eyed Grass, Yellow Flowers, Yellow Summer flowers
Sisyrinchium californicum (Golden Blue-Eyed Grass)
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Sisyrinchium angustifolium ‘Lucerne’ (Blue-Eyed Grass)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium 'Lucerne', Blue-Eyed Grass 'Lucerne', Grass Flower 'Lucerne', perennial plants, long-lasting flowers, Blue Flowers, Ground Covers
Sisyrinchium angustifolium ‘Lucerne’ (Blue-Eyed Grass)
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Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Blue-Eyed Grass)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Blue-Eyed Grass, Grass Flower, Narrowleaf Blue-Eyed Grass, Narrow-Leaf Blue-Eyed-grass, Bermuda Blue-Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bermudiana, Sisyrinchium graminoides, perennial plants, long-lasting flowers, Blue Flowers, Ground Covers
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Blue-Eyed Grass)
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Sisyrinchium bellum (Blue-Eyed Grass)
Sisyrinchium bellum, Blue-Eyed Grass, Western Blue-Eyed Grass, Californian Blue-Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium idahoense var. bellum, perennial plants, long-lasting flowers, Blue Flowers, Ground Cover
Sisyrinchium bellum (Blue-Eyed Grass)
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Sisyrinchium striatum (Pale Yellow-Eyed Grass)
Pale Yellow-Eyed Grass, Argentine Blue-Eyed Grass, Yellow Mexican Satin Flower, Yellow Flowers, Yellow Summer flowers
Sisyrinchium striatum (Pale Yellow-Eyed Grass)
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By Randy Bjorklund / Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 3 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Sisyrinchium
Common names Grass Widow
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early)
Height 8" - 10"
(20cm - 25cm)
Spread 4" - 6"
(10cm - 15cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants California, United States, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Nevada, Rocky Mountains, Utah
Garden Uses Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
How Many Plants Do I Need? Learn Now
Not sure which Sisyrinchium to pick?
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