Intermediate
skill rating
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Olsynium douglasii (Grass widow)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
0.3m
Max height
Max height
0.1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Olsynium douglasii
Other names
Grass widow, Purple-eyed grass, Purple rush lily , Purple snowdrop , Spring bell, Spring satin flower, Sisyrinchium douglasii, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum, Widow grass, Douglass grasswidow
Genus
Olsynium Olsynium
Species
O. douglasii - O. douglasii is a clump-forming, deciduous to semi-evergreen perennial with upright, stems bearing linear, grey-green leaves and cluster-like spathes of nodding, bell-shaped, satiny, violet to deep purple flowers in early spring.
Olsynium douglasii is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Violet in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Autumn; Grey-green in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly.
Propagation
May bloom in the first year if grown from seed but flowering is best from the second year on.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Olsynium douglasii (Grass widow) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Rock, Gravel, Containers, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Grow in moist, moderately, fertile, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Mulch in winter. Dislikes winter wet. Alternatively, grow in an alpine house in equal parts loam, leaf mould, and grit. Summer dormant.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Olsynium douglasii
Other names
Grass widow, Purple-eyed grass, Purple rush lily , Purple snowdrop , Spring bell, Spring satin flower, Sisyrinchium douglasii, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum, Widow grass, Douglass grasswidow
Genus
Olsynium Olsynium
Species
O. douglasii - O. douglasii is a clump-forming, deciduous to semi-evergreen perennial with upright, stems bearing linear, grey-green leaves and cluster-like spathes of nodding, bell-shaped, satiny, violet to deep purple flowers in early spring.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Violet in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Autumn; Grey-green in Winter
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly.
Propagation
May bloom in the first year if grown from seed but flowering is best from the second year on.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Olsynium douglasii (Grass widow) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Rock, Gravel, Containers, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Grow in moist, moderately, fertile, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Mulch in winter. Dislikes winter wet. Alternatively, grow in an alpine house in equal parts loam, leaf mould, and grit. Summer dormant.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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