Cute little flower hitchhiked with my lilac bush.

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Beeker, Apr 18, 2009.

  1. Beeker

    Beeker Active Member

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    I'm sorry to not have a picture. Maybe I can get one tomorrow if my description isn't good enough.
    The flower looks like blue dogbane but it is not a cluster. It is a single flower on a thin stem with one thin blade of a leaf angling out from the side close to the ground. It is a small dainty flower that seems to be facing downward. I don't know if that is the way it grows, or if it is starting to droop. It is growing from the base of my lilac bush that I got from my cousin last year. She is into trying to stay with flowers that are native to her area in Connecticut. I hope this is enough information. I like this flower. It is so charming looking; a very pretty blue color and just a single stem with a single leaf and a single flower. There are two now. Maybe they will multiply as the seasons pass?

    Also, some of my cousin's neighbors are using a similar color flower as ground cover mixed in with their grass or as a grass alternative in their yard. I think it has finished blooming and is just green now, but almost their whole lawn was covered in pillows of blue. It was so pretty. What could that have been? I am guessing that it would have to be somewhat short in order to be a good grass alternative. Any thoughts?

    I will try to get a picture of the hitchhiker tomorrow, but I don't think I can get the pictures of the grass alternative from my cousin. I think I missed my chance. The flowers are probably all gone by now.

    Thank you in advance for any ideas and help.
     
  2. abgardeneer

    abgardeneer Active Member

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    The comparison to dogbane is a bit puzzling, as it doesn't seem similar to the rest of your description, but try comparing your plant to blue-eyed grass, <i>Sisyrinchium ssp.</i>. There are many species, mostly blue-flowered.

    http://images.google.com/images?cli...hium&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

    EDIT: On reflection, I guess you are referring to Amsonia taberaemontana, or blue dogbane, not to dogbane (Apocynum ssp.)... sorry. I think I see what you mean then... could be Sisyrinchium.
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2009
  3. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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  4. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Scilla, perhaps siberica.
     
  5. Beeker

    Beeker Active Member

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    togata57,
    Yours looks the closest, but not a cluster like that.
    I finally have some pics.
     

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  6. abgardeneer

    abgardeneer Active Member

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    It is Scilla siberica.
     
  7. Beeker

    Beeker Active Member

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    Thank you abgardeneer.
    Good call togata57. Great guess without pics!

    Now, are they friend or foe? They seem sweet enough. I only have those two. What should I do with them? Are these the little blue flowers that the neighbors are using to fill their lawn with blue in the early spring, or is it something else?
     
  8. abgardeneer

    abgardeneer Active Member

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    Most people plant them intentionally, if that answers your question, LOL! Hard to say if that's what your neighbors have too, but it's certainly likely, as they are very popular springtime blooming plants. Not native to North America though. They aren't a "grass substitute", only an enhancement - as they don't bear being trod on and they go dormant a while after blooming - the leaves will yellow and dry up. Assuming you've planted them, yours will eventually form larger clumps as the bulbs form offsets and as they seed themselves.
     
  9. Beeker

    Beeker Active Member

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    That's the answer I was looking for. :)
    Considering that they are delicate, I am guessing that those are not the flowers in their lawn.
     

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