Re: Aristea ecknonii

 

I have to disagree.  Aristea ecklonii grows 2-3 feet tall, each flowering scape will produce on the order of 20-50 flowers, and its leaves do not resemble grass even slightly.  And after a season, it will be rife with dead scapes loaded with spent seed pods.
 
The plant in the photo must be very young.  A mature plant, covered with numerous blue blossoms is quite stunning, but in no way reminiscent of Blue-eyed grass.  Such a display is short-lived -- the flowers only last a day, but it produces so many that it will have some flowers in bloom most of the season, spring through fall.  The plant does want sun and water and food, and especially root space.
 
David E.

From: Mark A. Cook <bigalligator@bellsouth.net>
To: iris-species@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, May 5, 2011 6:17:49 PM
Subject: Re: [iris-species] Aristea ecknonii

 

>Your Aristea plant sure looks happy in Florida!  I'm guessing it's not hardy in Ohio.  Thanks for posting the pix!
 
Dennis,
     It is the South African answer to Blue Eyed Grass, so there are a lot of similarities in the plant.  Some listings say it will survive in Zone 8, others say Zone 9.  I am in Zone 8b and it needs a sheltered spot here.  Also, the heat harms it in an exposed spot.  This past winter, and the winter before last, the lowest temperature was 12Â F.  In January 2010, we had a very light dusting of snow. 
 
Mark A. Cook
b*@bellsouth.net
Dunnellon, Florida. 

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