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.

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.

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.

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.