Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) and related Pacific Coast Iris are knee high perennial with rhizomes that spread slowly into a 2 to 4 ft wide clump. The flowers arise on a 1 to 2 ft high stem, are cream to purple and three inches wide. Douglas Iris is native from Santa Barbara to Oregon and likes full sun near coast, afternoon shade inland, some summer water. Fast growing near the coast, but slow inland. This iris prefers richer soils, such as clay, with organic matter, and is not happy here when the winters are cold(snow) and the soil gravelly. Does fabulous in the runoff of buildings. That little ditch that the water runs down the the street in is a perfect place for Iris. No rain gutters, plant Douglas Iris.
2/14/2011 4:27:17 PM