Beardless Iris

Spuria Iris
Hybrids with larger flowers have replaced the species for the most part. Flowers, similar to Dutch iris, are yellow, buff, bronze, lavender, blue, chartreuse, or white. Plant forms clumps of narrow leaves 2 to 6 feet tall. They like full sun and good drainage. Bloom time is typically the same time as the tall bearded iris. Keep moist during growth season, and dry during summer. Blooms are best on established plants. They do not like root disturbance.

Siberian Iris, Iris sibirica, iris sanguinea, iris typhifolia, iris chrysographes.
Plants have narrow grassy leaves 1 to 3 feet tall, with 2 to 3-foot flower stems. Flowers are shaped like Dutch iris. Bloom midseason after bearded iris. Purple, red purple, shades of blues, or white. Need full sun acid soil and plenty of water during the growth season. Flowering is best from established clumps.

Japanese Iris, Iris ensata
With graceful leaves, this iris has stems up to 4 feet with 4 to 12-inch flowers. Blooms from June to July. Colors are purple, violet, pink, red, or white. Flower often has an edge of a contrasting color. Plant near ponds or water heavily through the bloom season or while growing. Plants can’t be allowed to dry out and need acid soil.

Louisiana Iris, Series Hexagonae
The Louisiana iris is a wild plant native to the Mississippi Delta. There are five separate species: Iris fulva, I. brevicaulis, I. nelsonii, I. hexagona, and I. giganticaerulea. They come in a variety of colors due to their ability to inbreed across species. Colors include reds, whites, yellows, pinks, purples, and blues. Plants are 2 to 5 feet in height and flowers may be 3 to 7 inches across. They prefer acid soil. Plants can’t be allowed to dry out.

Pacific Coast Natives or Pacific Coast Iris, Iris ser. Californicae
A small group of species native to the West Coast of North America. Species in this group interbreed easily, and natural hybrids are common. Hybridizers have also developed many colors of some species. PCIs are generally small, compact plants with slender, wiry rhizomes, and narrow grass-like leaves. Most PCIs are evergreen, growing 6 to 24 inches high. PCIs prefer full sun near the coast. Inland they do best in part shade. They prefer well‐drained, slightly acid soil with added compost. They don’t like root disturbance.

Bamboo Iris, Chengdu Iris, Iris confusa
A spreading, evergreen perennial. It forms large clumps of upright, bamboo-like stems with arching, green, narrow leaves to 16 inches long. Multi-branched stems hold up orchid-like flowers in white, light blue or lavender. Happy in part shade in well-drained soil.

Japanese Iris, Rabbit-ear Iris, Water Iris, Iris laevigata
Flowers are usually blue, purple, or violet. It needs a location with full sun, rich acidic soil, and 2″-8″ of standing water. All parts are toxic; wearing gloves to handle them is recommended.

Japanese Roof Iris, Wall Iris, Iris tectorum
Falls are marked by a fringed crest of white on purple. Can also be pure white. The bloom width is 6 inches, but the standards are shortened and tubular and the falls are widespread. The leaves are 15 inches tall, fanned at the base, and ribbed. They prefer sun to part-shade in rich, well-drained soil. The common name is derived from the historical use on thatched roofs in its native China and Japan.

Pseudata Iris
Pseudata Iris are a cross between European Iris pseudacorus and Japanese Iris ensata, (“pseudata” being a combination of both names). ‘Shiryukyo’ is not invasive as some pseudacorus varieties can be. It will thrive in boggy areas of the garden and in borders with even moisture.