Pale yellow-eyed grass

Sun

Full sun; tolerates light shade but flowers less freely.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Once rooted, water during prolonged dry spells; avoid soil that stays wet in winter.

Soil

Well-drained, moderately fertile soil, including sandy or gravelly ground. Tolerates a range of soil pH.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Flowers

Late spring to midsummer; small creamy yellow flowers with darker veins, arranged in tiers along upright stems.

Foliage

Stiff, narrow, grey-green leaves form upright fans. Evergreen in mild climates, but leaves may die back or become damaged in colder winters.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

3. After 2 years

   2 ft (0.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant in spring in colder areas, choosing a sunny position with good winter drainage.
• Water through the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Use only a light spring dressing of compost; rich feeding can encourage floppy growth.
• Keep mulch away from the crown, especially where winters are wet.
• Divide congested clumps in spring when flowering declines or the centre becomes sparse.
• Remove spent flower stems before seed ripens if you do not want seedlings.

Pruning. Cut finished flower stems down to the base after flowering, or leave a few if seedlings are wanted. In early spring, remove dead and frost-damaged leaves individually rather than cutting healthy evergreen foliage to the ground.

Early spring

Remove damaged foliage and check that the crown is not buried under wet debris.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps as growth resumes, then water thoroughly.

Late spring

Weed around the clumps and water new plants during dry weather.

Summer

Remove fading flower stems before seed capsules ripen to limit self-seeding.

Autumn

Remove unwanted seedlings and clear fallen leaves from around the crown.

Winter

Keep drainage channels clear; protect container-grown plants from prolonged freezing and waterlogging.

• Repeat small groups through a sunny border to add upright accents among rounded plants.
• Plant in gravel gardens with lavender and santolina for contrasting grey foliage and soft yellow flowers.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and airy perennials for a loose, naturalistic planting.
• Use beside paths or terraces where the tiered flower stems can be seen close up.

Garden styles it suits: Dry gravel garden, Mediterranean, New perennial (prairie), Cottage garden, Coastal and Architectural minimal.

Plant it with: English lavender, Santolina, Catmint, Purple coneflower, Mexican feather grass and Purpletop vervain.

Wildlife: The flowers provide pollen and nectar for visiting insects, including bees. Its South American origin means it is not a native habitat plant in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada or Australia.

• Crown or root rot in wet soil: improve drainage or move the plant to a raised bed; keep mulch off the crown.
• Winter leaf damage: choose a sheltered position and remove damaged leaves once spring growth begins.
• Excessive seedlings: cut off flower stems before the seed capsules mature and pull seedlings while small.
• Slugs and snails on young growth: inspect in damp weather, remove hiding places and use wildlife-conscious controls if needed.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. Species-specific information is limited, so do not treat the leaves, flowers or seeds as edible.

Where it spreads. Can self-seed freely in mild climates and is naturalised in parts of southern Australia and New Zealand. Remove seed heads near natural areas and check local weed guidance before planting.

• Golden-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium californicum)

  Much shorter, with brighter golden-yellow flowers rather than tall stems bearing several tiers of creamy flowers.

• Narrow-leaved blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)

  Forms smaller clumps of finer green leaves and bears blue to violet flowers with yellow centres.

The botanical epithet striatum means 'striped' or 'grooved' in Latin.

Propagation. Divide established clumps in spring, retaining healthy roots and several leaf fans on each division. Sow fresh seed in pots in a cool frame; seedlings may vary and can take more than one season to reach flowering size.

Accepted botanical name

Sisyrinchium striatum

Native range

Argentina Northwest, Argentina South and Chile Central.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.