Olsynium douglasii

Common Names

Grass Widow, Grass Widows, Purple-Eyed Grass, Douglas' Grasswidow, Douglas Grass Widow, Blue-Eyed Grass, Douglas' Blue-Eyed Grass, Purple-Blue-Eyed Grass, Satin Flower, Purple Snowdrop, Purple Rush Lily, Spring Bell, Spring Satin Flower

Summary

Olsynium douglasii is a North American flowering plant in the iris family, the only North American species in the genus Olsynium, native to western Canada and the western United States, it is a tufted perennial that forms clumps with grass-like foliage and slender upright stems, reaching about 0.1–0.5 m tall, the nodding, bell-shaped flowers are about 2 cm long, rich purple with a satiny texture, borne singly or in pairs on flattened stalks above two upright spathe-like leaves, and bloom in early spring, it prefers moist but well-drained loam in semi-shade, tolerates acid, alkaline, or neutral soils, and thrives in partial shade with a north- or east-facing sheltered position, it is hardy to UK H5 and can be propagated by seed sown in containers in autumn, it suits gravel gardens, patios or containers, and rock gardens, and provides nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-16 inches

Spread

0-4 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Rocky, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growth; reaches its ultimate height in 2–5 years.

Seasons of Interest

Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and other pollinating insects