What Do Blue-Eyed Iris Grass Plants Eat?

Blossoms

• Typical iris blossoms -- such as those of bearded, Japanese and Siberian iris -- have upward and downward petals and look a bit like a ballerina in a tutu with arms extended. Blue-eyed grass blossoms are simpler looking and shaped more like a daisy, but with six petals. Some species have petals with rounded tips; others are pointed. Whether their petals are white, blue, purple or yellow, all have a yellow center. There are about 60 species of blue-eyed grass in North America and the West Indies, according to the Talk About Wildlife website.

Stalks, Leaves and Roots

• Similar to blossoms of the Iris genus, blue-eyed grass flowers connect to a rigid stalk. Their long, thin, lance-shaped leaves rising from the base of the plant help feed the plant by converting solar energy to carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. Depending on species, they vary in height from about 4 to 20 inches tall with each stem producing multiple flowers. Some species have thinner, more grass-like blades than others. They absorb nutrients from the soil through their fibrous, rhizomatic roots.

Soil pH

• Analyze the chemical composition of soil using a measurement called pH. When a soil's chemical balance is correct for a plant, its roots can access the nutrients it needs in the soil. A measurement of seven indicates that the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in a soil are chemically balanced. This means it has a neutral pH. Lower numbers indicate acidity and higher numbers mean alkalinity.

  Areas with lots of rainfall have acidic soils; while extremely dry areas have alkaline soils. Most Sisyrinchiums prefer moist conditions, such as common blue-eyed grass, S. montanum, which loves riverbanks and -- similar to other members of the Iris family -- prefer soils that have a slightly acidic to neutral pH. But some species, such as California golden-eye grass, S. californicum, tolerate dry soils. Aside from moisture, soil acidity or alkalinity also relates to the kind of rock on which soil rests. Granite is an acid material whereas limestone is alkaline.

Fertilizer

• Blue-eyed grasses are wildflowers, but can be cultivated. Most wildflowers require little or no fertilizer if growing in soils similar to those of their native environment. Adding organic material to soils before planting any kind of flower is generally a good idea to improve drainage and provide nutrients. For greatest success, gardeners who want to plant blue-eyed grass may want to start with species that do well in a wide range of soils such as S. campestre and S. californicum.