SISYRINCHIUM. The Americas. Perennials of the iris alliance, producing compact clumps of grass or iris-like leaves and displaying small 6-petalled flowers in branched clusters or spikes, mostly in spring and early summer. Some of them self-seed rather freely, but the seedlings are easily rogued out. Sun, reasonably well drained soil, moderate to little or no watering, depending on species. The following are hardy to 10^oF or below, except as noted.

bellum, Blue-eyed grass, is a common but beautiful wildflower, sprinkled over grassy slopes in much of California. Typically it forms clumps of grassy, 6-12", bluish green leaves. Taller, branched stems appear in spring with 1/2" to 1" purple blossoms, their centers marked by golden stamens. One of our own selections, ‘Figueroa’, is a 10-12" plant with cream-margined leaves and stems and typical purple blossoms. ‘Merk’s White’ has typical foliage and large, pure white flowers. ‘H Bar H White’ is similar but slightly more floriferous. ‘Occidental’ is a 1’ plant, very profuse in growth and bloom and similarly large flowered. ‘Rocky Point’ is a more recent selection, of dwarf habit, with broader leaves and violet blossoms. ‘Ft. Bragg’ is similar in habit but the flowers are soft lavender in color, with violet centers. ‘Arroyo de la Cruz’ has the largest and darkest flowers of all. Unwatered plants may shrivel in late summer but are quickly renewed by fall rains.

convolutum. An erect 1' plant with broader leaves than the last. It is one of the showiest, producing a long succession of golden yellow 1" to 1½" blossoms in summer. It should have regular watering. Hardy to 15^oF or less.

‘E. K. Balls’ (‘Balls’ Mauve’). An outstanding selection, sometimes listed under S. bellum; however, I suspect that its background includes the northwestern S. macounii. It makes dense colonies of shoots, growing only about 6" high. The leaves are relatively broader than those of most forms of S. bellum and dark green in color. It flowers profusely in spring and early summer, carrying clusters of bright purple flowers at every shoot tip. Probably hardy to around 0^oF.

species/Texas (perhaps S. pruinosum?). I received this little treasure several years ago from Texan nursery friend James David, but have found it maddeningly difficult to identify. The question should be resolved soon. It is a profuse grower, quickly forming dense clumps. The leaves are 6-8" long, broader than those of S. bellum and bluish green in color. Blooming begins in March or April and continues well into the summer, with literally masses of broad-petalled, purplish blue, yellow-centered blossoms open at any given time. It seems to thrive in ordinary garden conditions. Probably 0^oF. or less.

striatum. A robust South American species. It has fans of sword shaped, pale green leaves up to 1½' long, standing quite erect. In summer stalks up to 3' tall carry many clusters of small creamy yellow, darkly veined blossoms spaced along their length. It makes a bold impression, either singly or in borders. It should have moderate watering through the summer months. Around 15^oF.

‘Wayne's Dwarf’. This is considered a probable hybrid between S. bellum and S. macounii. It grows only about 6" tall, is a little broader leaved than our bellum selections and has deep purple blossoms. Culture as for S. bellum. Received from Wayne Roderick.