In ancient Greece, Iris brought word from the god Hera via the rainbow. Today’s irises transform sunshine, soil and water into a harvest of rainbows. Among the over 60,000 different irises are types that will thrive in almost all garden conditions. With proper selection, gardeners in California can enjoy blooming irises every month of the year.

Bearded Iris are the most widespread garden iris type. They range from the 8” tall Miniature Dwarf Bearded through Standard Dwarf, Intermediate, Miniature Tall, Border Bearded and Tall Bearded. Since most of the smaller bearded iris varieties need a substantial winter chill in order to bloom well, we focus on growing the tall beardeds. How tall depends on winter chill and spring temperatures. Varieties that are reliably tall for us (over 26”) are noted.

Bearded iris blooms have six petals: three that stand up (standards) and three that hang down (falls). Each fall has a small fuzzy spot near the throat (the beard). Older iris varieties tend to have narrower, less ruffled standards than newer tall beardeds. We refer to these graceful blooms as “Van Gogh style” blooms. Peak iris bloom here is late April-early May.

Tall bearded iris prefer average garden conditions, with at least half a day of full sun. They do not like soggy, shady areas with poor air circulation. In Southern California, rhizomes (swollen tuber-like roots) should have ¼” to ½” of soil covering them, and should not be smothered by mulch or herbaceous ground covers. Although tall bearded irises can survive a drought and low soil fertility, they will thrive among roses and daylilies. For optimum bloom, reinvigorate your iris clumps by digging and dividing them every 2-4 years.

Dutch, English or Spanish Iris are bulbs grown mainly for their cut flowers. Since Greenwood’s emphasis is on plants for landscaping, we do not offer these.

Crested Iris, Shade Butterfly Iris, Iris japonica (not Japanese iris). Iris ‘Nada’ is the perfect drought tolerant shade iris for Southern California. Ruffled white with lilac blooms, on wiry 18”-24” stems over lustrous, broad 12”-18” tall fern green foliage. Great with Clivias, Camellias and Maidenhair Ferns. Bare root plants are $9.00 each. 

Japanese Iris or Iris ensata are tall, water loving plants with large white, blue and sometimes pink blooms. Their love of acid soil and intolerance of alkaline water or soil make them too touchy for us to grow in Southern California. Louisiana Irises are good substitutes.

Siberian Iris have similar problems in Southern California, although ‘Caesar’s Brother’ is okay here. Try Louisiana or Spuria iris. For a similar, but evergreen foliage effect, try Dietes ‘Lemon Drop’.

Louisiana Iris have lush dark green foliage, prefer a little shade, and can tolerate poorly drained soil. They can even be grown in ponds. We do not sell Louisianas by mail, but are testing many varieties.

Iris Louisiana ‘Sea Wisp’: 28”-38” tall stalks with sky blue blooms. The first Louisiana iris we’ve seen that sporadically reblooms in Fall or Winter. Available in 5 gal. containers.

Pacific Coast Natives (PCN’s) are early April blooming garden gems bred from iris species such as Iris douglasiana that are native to California, Oregon and Washington. Although relatively easy in Northern California, PCN’s are challenged by conditions in Southern California. Avoid reflected heat. Do not plant in medians or parking lots, and do not allow potted plants to sit on hot pavement. Many experienced landscape professionals substitute ‘Grandma’s Purple Flag’ for PCN’s where heat or soil conditions are tough, and ‘Great Grandma’s Purple Flag’ closer to the coast or in partial shade. Iris japonica ‘Nada’ is also great in dry shade.

Spuria Iris: are tall perennial irises (2½’-6’ tall). Clear colored blooms are held above erect dark green foliage. Resembling giant Dutch Iris, spurias make excellent cut flowers. Yellow and white spurias come back year after year in old gardens and abandoned homesteads, and are mistakenly referred to as ‘Japanese Irises’. Unlike Japanese irises, spurias are heat and drought tolerant. They prefer a rich, heavy soil with their roots in the shade (or mulched) and their tops in at least half a day of full sun. We grow over 50 spuria varieties, but do not sell them by mail. Available in containers on open days.

Fortnight Lily, Moraea, Sun Butterfly Iris: Dietes vegeta (Moraea iridiodes) and D. bicolor are familiar landscape plants with beautiful iris-like blooms. Some people avoid them because their rank growth, brown leaf tips and self-seeded “volunteers” are messy. We grow Dietes ‘Lemon Drop’, a superior Southern California bred hybrid. ‘Lemon Drop’ is one-third to half the size of its parents, and has tidy, very dark green foliage. Sterile flowers appear almost any time of year. Plant with grasses, perennials, or even as a formal, unclipped hedge. Bare root plants are $8.00 each.