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Herbaceous Perennial

Sisyrinchium striatum 'Aunt May' (v)

pale yellow-eyed grass 'Aunt May'

An evergreen perennial forming a clump of erect, sword-shaped grey-green leaves margined with cream, with erect leafy stems bearing several clusters of pale yellow flowers in summer

Synonyms

Sisyrinchium striatum 'Variegatum'
Sisyrinchium 'Aunt May'

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Sisyrinchium can be annuals or rhizomatous perennials forming a clump of narrowly sword-shaped leaves with erect stems carrying solitary or clustered, star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in spring or summer
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Lift and divide every year or so to ensure flowering. May have the potential to become a nuisance as seeds prolifically

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove discoloured foliage and faded flowers

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rot

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