I was curious because I wouldn't call a native plant invasive, no matter how aggressive. Who knows what species or hybrids some of the mass-propagated sisyrinchiums might be, though, especially given how difficult delineating the wild species is. Flora of North America recognizes 37 species in NA and has a key, if you want to find the genus even more boring! Maybe you could convince your neighbors to scrap it if it's not native to your area, but good luck with it regardless.
From the color I assume 'Quaint and Queer' is the hybrid
S. montanum (blue North American) ×
S. patagonicum (=
nudicale)(yellow South American), since there seems to be a very similar-looking seed strain traded as "
montanum ×
nudicaule". I don't know that ID for a fact, if the supposed hybrid strain is really that parentage, if it's really a seed strain or an easily-produced (sterile?) F1, or if there are other blue × yellow hybrids involving other species.
The tall, blonde one was probably S. striatum.
Sean Z
On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 1:04 PM,
<C*@aol.com> wrote:
Invasive as in one of the prominent nurseries in the state was pushing the plant--bellum, angustifolium, I'm not sure which--about fifteen years ago and among the people who succumbed to the siren's song of its modest charms was a woman who lives three houses up the block from me, say, about a hundred feet away.
She claims to favor the 'cottage garden" horticultural style, which means she eschews strong color, never weeds, and essentially leaves things to seed around. The blue eyed grass has colonized what was once an open compost heap, and laid a pelt over much of her garden, crowding out in some areas Convallaria, and native violets. It is moving beyond the property line and heading down the alley, but I'm hoping the dock and horseradish growing out there will give it some sport. My neighbor says it "has done real well" for her.
I, myself, tried one of the taller blond ones, I forget which species, and that was a notably ugly plant as it faded. Better as a garden plant was a little cultivar called "Quaint and Queer." I don't know the origins of same.
AMW
-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Zera <z*@umich.edu>
To: iris-species <i*@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Apr 11, 2013 11:49 am
Subject: Re: [iris-species] Sisyrinchium (bellum?)
Out of curiosity, invasive as in not native and outcompeting native vegetation? I could definitely see
Sisyrinchium doing that.
Sean Z
On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 10:56 AM,
<C*@aol.com> wrote:
Different strokes for different folks. Around here, blue eyed grass is rabidly invasive--vyeing with
Ornithogalum umbellatum for the palm as regards rapidity of increase-- and as boring a plant as I have ever encountered.
AMW
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Kramb <d*@badbear.com>
To: iris-species <i*@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Apr 11, 2013 9:43 am
Subject: Re: [iris-species] Sisyrinchium (bellum?)
Wow that looks happy! Any idea which species it is? (Or is it maybe a hybrid?)
Dennis in Cincinnati
