Stout Blue-Eyed Grass is a perennial that has dark green tufts of grass growing from a central, stout, often branched stem. The hollow stems are approximately one half to two inches in diameter and seven to ten inches long.
Stout Blue Eyed Grass Illinois
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass has very narrow leaves with hairs present on both sides of the leaves. The leaves and stems arise from a stout, fleshy crown. Stout Blue-Eyed Grass blooms in the spring giving way to smooth fruits that are one-half inch long and oval shaped. The fruits contain two seeds joined at the base that separate after maturity into single brown seeds about 3/8 inch long.
It Grass can be found in pastures, old fields, and wet meadows at the edges of ponds. This plant prefers moist soils with full sun to partial shade. Stout Blue-Eyed Grass is native to North America.
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass has flowers about three-quarters of an inch long, consisting of six yellow divisions and a central dark blue spot extending down into the style.
Where Does Stout Blue-Eyed Grass Grow in Illinois?
The distribution for Stout Blue-Eyed Grass in Northern Illinois is limited to a few counties in the northeast corner of the state. It Can be found in most of Central and Southern Illinois.
Stout Blue Eyed Grass Care
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass prefers moist soil and full sun. This plant requires well drained soil, but may do fine with some standing water or periodic flooding for short periods. Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can be grown from either seed or root division. Seeds should be planted in the late fall, winter, or very early spring.
Water and Soil
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can be cultivated at home with rich soil and water during the growing season.
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass is a perennial wildflower that must be planted every year.
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass requires moist soil and full sun. This plant likes to have wet feet but can tolerate some standing water or periodic flooding for short periods, however this plant will spread more quickly if the soil is shallowly flooded regularly.
PH Range
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass is best grown in moist, humusy soils high in organic matter. This plant prefers slightly acid to neutral soils, but tolerates a wide pH range.
Propagation/ Growth
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can be grown from seed or division. Seeds should be planted as soon as possible after harvest. Seeds should be sown onto the surface of a well-prepared seedbed and covered with about one-quarter inch of soil. Thin or transplant into individual pots once true leaves have appeared.
Plants may also be divided in early spring, autumn, or winter by carefully removing offsets from the parent plant, making sure each has a crown with roots.
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can survive in compacted soil that is high or low in fertility. Stout Blue-Eyed Grass has a taproot that makes the plant difficult to establish if it is planted too deeply. For this reason, small plants may be transplanted with care by carefully teasing apart the roots before planting them an inch to two inches below the surface of the soil.
How Far Apart Should You Grow Stout Blue Eyed Grass Illinois?
Plants should be spaced eighteen inches apart. Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can establish new colonies from root divisions of a parent plant if the roots are carefully cut into three to five inch sections and planted one to two inches below the surface of soil.
Fertilization
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can be fertilized in the spring when new growth is about six inches high with a low phosphorus fertilizer. Seeds may need to be thinned if overcrowding occurs in the planter.
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. This plant may be toxic if eaten. Stout Blue-Eyed Grass can spread easily once established through its vigorous creeping rhizome, so it should be contained in areas where it is not wanted.
Stout Blue Eyed Grass Illinois: Conclusion
Stout Blue-Eyed Grass is an excellent flower that can thrive in Illinois!
Related article: Best Grass for Central Illinois