(Iris)

One of the most beloved of genera for the garden, Iris comprises several hundred species and literally thousands of cultivars. These vary widely in shape, size, color and habitat and are naturally distributed across much of the Northern Hemisphere and Africa.

Iris species are all perennial and may be evergreen or seasonal ephemerals and are either born from bulbs or slow-spreading bulbous rhizomes. Foliage varies but is always upright and may be grassy, strap-like or sword-shaped. Plants are...

(Abiqua Falls Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris)

The large, ruffled, sky blue flowers of ‘Abiqua Falls’ rise above the perennial garden in late spring. The blooms are held atop tall stems, which emerge from fans of medium-green, sword-shaped leaves.

Bearded irises grow from slow-spreading bulbous rhizomes. Their large, dramatic flowers are comprised of six distinct petals. Three of these petals curve upwards, and are called standards, while the other three curve downwards, and are called falls. In addition, these iris have fuzzy pads at the...

(Acadian Miss Iris, Louisiana Hybrid Iris)

The Louisiana iris ‘Acadian Miss’ bears beautiful ruffled flowers in spring and early summer. Its medium-sized white blooms have three small, upward-angled inner petals (standards), and three larger, arching outer petals (falls). Each fall has a light green marking, called a signal, at its base, which attracts pollinating bees. Three petal-like green floral "style arms" extend from the flower's center. This cultivar received the DeBaillon Award from the Society for Louisiana Irises.

Louisiana...

(Acapulco Gold Iris, Tall Bearded Iris)

Though shorter in stature than many bearded iris, ‘Acapulco Gold’ packs a punch with its brilliant display of ruffled, marigold-yellow blossoms. This outstanding cultivar is exceptionally vigorous and heavy-blooming.

The distinctive flowers of bearded iris are borne on strong stems atop fans of medium-green, sword-shaped foliage. Each blossom is comprised of three upright petals called “standards”, and three drooping tepals, (petal-like sepals), referred to as “falls”. Fuzzy pads known as “beards”...

(Amain Iris, Tall Bearded Iris)

Bright, ruffled white and yellow flowers on tall stems appear on the Amain bearded iris in springtime. This selection also reblooms again in very early autumn before fall frosts force this perennial into its annual winter dormancy. 'Amain' was a hybrid created by Lloyd Zurbrigg and released in 1983.

The distinctively shaped flowers of bearded iris appear on strong stems emerging from fans of light blue-green, sword-shaped foliage. The stems branch and carry numerous plump flower buds. Each blossom...

(American Classic Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris)

This award-winning bearded iris produces substantial, heavily ruffled blooms of crisp white, edged generously in speckled, deep violet. A notably heavy bloomer, ‘American Classic’ boasts tall, multi-branched stems carrying as many as 11 to 13 buds which open in succession over a long period in late spring to early summer.

The large, dramatic flowers of bearded iris are borne on strong stems atop fans of medium-green, sword-shaped foliage. Each blossom is comprised of three upright petals called...

(Ann Chowning Iris, Louisiana Hybrid Iris)

The Louisiana iris ‘Ann Chowning' bears amazing rich, cherry-red flowers in spring. Its medium-sized blooms have three up-angled inner segments ("standards"), and three larger, arching outer segments ("falls"). Each fall has a brilliant gold triangular marking ("signal") at its base, which attracts pollinating bees.

Louisiana irises are complex hybrids of several species, most native to the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The foliage is sword-shaped, medium green and equitant (borne...

(Apollo Iris, Dutch Iris)

The beardless Dutch iris selection 'Apollo' bursts into bicolor splendor in early to very late spring, depending on climate. Its large blossoms - up to 6-inches (15 cm) wide - of white and lemon yellow are poised atop tall, elegant stems. The white petals may attain a faint blue cast. 'Apollo' was bred in the 1950s in Holland exclusively for greenhouse production for use as cut flowers.

Named for the growers in The Netherlands who originally hybridized them, the bright flowers of Dutch irises...

(Autumn Bugler Iris, Tall Bearded Iris)

Vivid, but subtle bicolored flowers of blue-violet and plum-violet occur on the Autumn Bugler bearded iris in early to mid-spring. This selection also reblooms again in very early autumn before fall frosts force this perennial into its annual winter dormancy. 'Autumn Bugler' was a hybrid created by Frank Jones and released in 1986.

The distinctively shaped flowers of bearded iris appear on tall, strong stems emerging from fans of light blue-green, sword-shaped foliage. The stems branch and carry...

(Autumn Circus Bearded Iris, Bearded Iris)

Blooming first in late spring, the distinctive flowers of ‘Autumn Circus’ make a second appearance in autumn, providing two shows for the price of one. Each beautifully ruffled bloom features an intricate tracery of deep violet markings over a white background.

The large, dramatic flowers of bearded iris are borne on strong stems atop fans of medium-green, sword-shaped foliage. Each blossom is comprised of three upright petals called “standards”, and three drooping tepals, (petal-like sepals),...