IRIS. Northern Hemisphere, temperate regions. For years I have had a special interest in this group of colorful perennials. The following include a broad sampling of the group, including several native species and their hybrids. All have the flattened fans of leaves and general floral form typical of the genus, but they vary strikingly within these limits. Cultural requirements and hardiness also vary.

douglasiana. One of the most easily grown of the natives, this species has been used extensively in the Pacific Coast Hybrids (see below). It forms compact clumps with evergreen, arching leaves of variable height, usually dark green and shiny on one surface and light green and duller on the other. The spring flowers generally range in color from pale lavender to deep violet. ‘Canyon Snow’ is an outstanding selection by the late Dara Emery of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, with broad, exceptionally shiny leaves and branched stems of large, pure white blossoms with yellow markings. ‘Goat Rock’ and ‘Portuguese Beach’ are selections I made a number of years ago from broadly matting populations along the northern coast. They have smallish flowers, lavender in the first case, deep violet in the second. Culture as for the Pacific Coast Hybrids, below.

ensata (kaempferi). Japanese iris. A spectacular wet growing species with closely branched rhizomes and erect, bright green 2-3’ leaves. Still taller, branched stems appear in summer, bearing enormous blossoms which are colored white to purple or rose overall, often beautifully painted with contrasting colors. All are deciduous in winter. ‘Haku Bocan’, with elegant pure white flowers, is my longtime favorite; unfortunately, it was nearly lost, and building a commercial crop again has been a struggle. ‘Beni Botan’ has flowers heavily marbled with white on a purple background. ‘Gekkeikan’ has similar markings on a red-violet background. ‘Murakamo’ is distinguished by particularly tall stems and velvety deep violet flowers. ‘Shogun’ combines a similar violet background with white centers. ‘Temple Bells’, with lavender flowers.

There are some new acquisitions to mention. ‘Flashing Koi’, received from Ensata Gardens, has stunning large flowers, white overall with reddish purple markings at their centers. ‘Joy Peters’, from Aitken’s, is distinguished by lavender-pink flowers with white styles. Exploiting a different theme is ’Variegata’, with cream-striped leaves and smaller, though quite pretty, purple flowers. Sun, most soils, constant moisture. They can actually be immersed in water; however, in my experience, better clumps and more flowers result from growing them in moist, rich soil. Hardy to 0^oF. or below.

innominata. One of the species most used in the Pacifica Hybrids, below. It forms dense neat clumps under 1½’ tall, with very narrow, usually shiny leaves. The proportionately large flowers come in many colors, ranging from purple to yellow to white. Those of the current form, received several years ago from the late Ed Wood, are a vivid violet shade with white markings. Culture as for the Pacifica Hybrids, except perhaps for less tolerance of heat and drought.

japonica. Not to be confused with the Japanese iris, I. ensata (see above), these are evergreen plants which form spreading colonies of broadly fan shaped shoots. The 1’ leaves are exceptionally shiny and rich green in color in the typical form. The selection ‘Variegata’ has cream-margined leaves. Fragrant white to lilac, blue-speckled flowers are displayed above the foliage in spring. Part shade, most soils, regular watering. Hardy to around 15^oF.

laevigata ‘Variegata’. A showy plant for moist spots and poolside, quite compatible with the ensatas. It makes dense clumps, with tall, narrow cream-striped leaves, which are held erect. In summer violet 3" blossoms are held above the foliage on slender stalks. Hardy to 0^oF. or below.

macrosiphon. A rugged native species of deceptively delicate appearance. It forms neat, fountainlike clumps with narrow, arching bluish green leaves. Graceful narrow-petalled blossoms colored white to deep violet decorate the plants in early and mid-spring. Our own selection, ‘Mt. Madonna’, has violet falls and lighter standards. Culture as for the Pacific Coast Hybrids, although the plants should be kept fairly dry in summer. 10^oF or less.

Pacifica or Pacific Coast Hybrids. This is a diverse group derived from various California and Oregon natives, particularly I. douglasiana, I. innominata, and I. munzii. All form handsome clumps with 6" to 2’ leaves, shiny or dull in surface and blue-green to dark green in color. The large flowers are borne in spring, two or more per stem. They include nearly a rainbow of hues, from purple or deep blue, maroon or mahogany to yellow and white. Our offerings began with selections from the noted hybridizer Joseph Ghio and now include both a number of his more recent crosses and some of our own. Some of the latter include ‘Lavender Lace’, with huge, ruffled flowers, pale lavender in color; ‘Little Warrior’, a dwarf plant with flowers combining orchid, deep reddish purple and white; ‘Orchid Glow’, another dwarf, with orchid standards and a deep reddish purple, velvety eye; ‘Royal Velvet’, with rosy standards and velvety maroon falls; and ‘Silver Moon’, with white and pale lilac standards and rich, deep purple falls. An older selection from Wayne Roderick, recently revived here, is ‘Wayne’s Violet’. It has very attractive, upright leaves favoring I. douglasiana and vivid red-violet flowers with yellow markings on the falls. Sun or part shade, reasonably well drained soil, moderate to little watering when established. Hardy to 0-10^oF.

pallida ‘Variegata’. Dalmatian iris. Southeastern Europe. A sturdy plant with erect nearly evergreen fans of leaves up to 2’ high, blue-green in color with yellow margins. Branched stems rise well above the foliage in summer, displaying a succession of fragrant 4" blossoms which resemble those of the German iris. They are soft lavender-blue overall, with a golden “beard” on each fall. Probably 0^oF. or less.

sibirica. Siberian iris. These are compact plants with narrowly erect leaves, usually around 2’ tall. They bloom in early summer, displaying large blossoms painted in various hues well above the foliage. More recent hybrids have branched stems, broad petalled blossoms and a longer blooming period than older and more common selections. Of our traditional selections, ‘Anniversary’ features pure white blossoms with yellow markings. ‘Orville Fay’ has exceptionally large, broad-petalled flowers, approaching true blue in color. ‘Ruby Wine’ has beautiful burgundy blossoms. Those of ‘Tealwood’ are velvety, deep purple on the falls, with lighter standards; and ‘Tycoon’ has bluish purple blossoms.‘Jewelled Crown’ is a recent acquisition from Ensata Gardens, having elegant, ruffled flowers of deep wine-red with yellow markings at their centers, ringed by white. ‘Navy Brass’, from Caprice Farms, is simply the most stunning Siberian type I have seen; The flowers are very large, broad-parted and close to navy blue in color. Winter deciduous. Sun, reasonably well drained soil, regular watering during growth and bloom. Hardy to below 0^oF.

tectorum. Roof iris. I have been dazzled by the beauty of this iris. It makes small thickets with broad, glossy green 12-18" leaves, which make broad fans. Above these, in spring and early summer, are held graceful 4" blossoms with drooping falls. They are violet in overall color, with white crests. ‘Alba’ has pure white flowers.

unguicularis. Winter iris. Greece and Crete. This lovely iris brings the gardener a bit of spring cheer in the depths of winter, blooming with the daffodils. It makes dense evergreen thickets with dark, shiny narrow leaves up to 2’ high. Nestled among them on short stems but elevated on long tubes are fragrant lavender-blue flowers with white markings, up to 3" broad. The segments are held erect for half their length, then spread abruptly.