Blue-Eyed Grass, native to the eastern United States and a member of the Iris family , is one of the most charming wildflowers I know of.    The grass-like foliage and small blue (sometimes purple), star-shaped flowers  with yellow centers, or "eyes,"  are most endearing.  This clump-forming, spring-blooming perennial native is ideal for edging walkways and rock gardens, but its grass-like foliage can sometimes fool you, so be vigilant when weeding.  Blue-Eyed Grass grows to about eight inches in sun and well-drained soil.   Zones 4-9. Quarts.

This is the white blooming form of Blue-Eyed Grass.  This clump-forming charmer is ideal for the rock garden or edging walkways.  Full sun in Zones 4-8.  (Photo courtesy of USEPA:  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sisyrinchium_albidum.jpg)

just love this little member of the Iris family. With a growing habit very much like the familiar blue-eyed grass, this one is a happy camper yellow. It thrives in dry soil, and although it is said to tolerate bog areas, I have found that too much water is detrimental. The clumps increase in size and grow from 8 to 10 inches tall in full sun. Even though the blooms do not last long, each stem produces several buds, so the blooms keep coming. Oh, and be sure to let the seed pods ripen so you will get extra plants; just let them fall where they may. I have read that this plant has a zone range of 8 to 10, but I will amend that to Zones 7-10. Quarts.

This striking member of the Iris family is a native of South America, and as Sisyrinchiums go, this one is particularly impressive. The evergreen blue-green foliage of Sisyrinchium palmifolium stands about 20 inches high and spreads to about 20 inches wide, and it sends up flower stalks crowded with large, saucer-shaped bright yellow blooms that open at dusk. This Bird of Paradise likes a sunny spot in Zones 7-10.  Illustration from Wiki Commons, and in the public domain.)

This Sisyrinchium, a member of the Iris family, has been around for quite a while, and it was on my wish list for almost as long.  Finally, I have it, and I am not one bit disappointed.  It has a lot going for it:  First, it's a Sisyrinchium; nothing more needs to be said than that (in my book anyway).  Second, unlike Sisyrinchiums that we see that are blue, yellow, or white, this one is, well...different.   Some call it brown, tan, and purple, and even chocolate.  It's a little of all of those colors (and flavors).  No photo yet, but take a look here to see it.  "Quaint and Queer" is as easy as pie to grow and has a long blooming period in May and June.  It likes full sun and average soil.  It's ideal for rock gardens.  Zones 6-9.  Quarts.