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Iris (Iris)
While we don't offer any of the typical bearded iris selections, what we do feature are some really great selections and hybrids of the easy-to-grow, naturally-occurring species. As a group, iris can range from alpine dryland plants to bog dwellers and from sun to shade, so there is no set of rules for the genus as a whole. We think you will enjoy our listing, which includes some really choice gems this season.
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Iris cristata 'Powder Blue Giant' (Powder Blue Giant Crested Iris)
Part Sun to Shade Zone: 3-9 12" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This superb form of our native I. cristata was discovered by Samuel Norris (who created the first pardancandas) of Owensboro, Kentucky, some 37 years ago from a 200-yard long bank of I. cristata in Litchfield, Kentucky. It was registered and named by Joe Pye Weed Gardens, Massachusetts, in 1998. The light blue flowers to 3" wide are gigantic for this species. This vigorously spreading form to 1' tall is a superb choice for a dry location in the woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02592
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Iris cristata 'Tennessee White' (Tennessee White Woods Iris)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 3-9 6" tall Origin: USA
This selection of our native woods iris was discovered by mad plantsman Don Shadow of Winchester, Tennessee. Iris 'Tennessee White' is a vigorous selection that quickly makes a 2' wide deciduous clump, topped just above the foliage in March (NC) with a wonderful display of small white thick-textured flowers. Everyone who has tried it agrees it is probably the best white-flowered selection of I. cristata on the market.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08476
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Iris ensata 'Little Snow Man' (White Japanese Iris)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 25" tall Origin: Japan
I. 'Little Snowman' is a stunningly floriferous selection of Japanese iris. Like a flock of doves atop the upright linear green foliage, the 25" tall plants are topped with large flat flowers in early June. Plant Japanese iris in a moist site (water leaks that you haven't got around to fix work great) and divide every 3-5 years for best results...you're sure to like this one! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01717
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Iris ensata 'Pink Frost' (W. Marx 55)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8, at least 24" tall Origin: Japan
Iris ensata 'Pink Frost' is a delightful fast-multiplying shorter selection that makes a 2' tall x 3' wide clump, topped in early June (NC) with a blanket of 6-falled (all 6 petals arch downward instead of upright) mauve pink petals, highlighted by an inner white pattern just above the bright yellow throat. As with all Japanese iris, they perform best if divided every 3-5 years and grown in moist rich soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07943
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Iris ensata 'Queen's Tiara' (Queen's Tiara Japanese Iris)
SunZone: 5-8 36" tall Origin: Japan
NEW!
Iris 'Queen's Tiara' is a vigorous selection of Japanese iris topped, starting in mid-May, with large flat-petalled white flowers highlighted in the center by short purple standards (upright petals)...a very attractive combination. As with all Japanese iris, slightly moist to wet soils are best and be sure to divide the clumps every 3-4 years to maintain great flowering. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07650
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Iris ensata 'Tora Tora' (Tora Tora Japanese Iris)
SunZone: 5-9 24" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
We bought this because of the unusual name...the term used by the Japanese to indicate the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Not surprisingly, this extraordinarily vigorous selection of Japanese Iris has been a real standout in our garden. The 2' tall clumps are topped in late May (in NC) with a stunning display of large light lavender flowers accented by darker purple veining and a patch of gold near the base of each petal. Moist soil is important for best performance, as is clump division every 3 years. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07299
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Iris ensata 'Umi Botaru' (Umi Botaru Japanese Iris)
SunZone: 5-10 30" tall Origin: Japan
Open House/Web-Only!
This Japanese selection of the moisture-loving Iris ensata was introduced prior to 1940, but is still very popular today. I. 'Umi Botaru' is topped in mid-June with 30" tall stalks ending in large purple flowers spattered with flecks of white. Iris ensatas are very durable in all but the driest soils, but really explode when grown in very moist soils or as a marginal aquatic. We recommend dividing Japanese iris every 3-4 years to maintain good flowering. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00991
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Iris ensata 'Variegata' (Striped Japanese Iris)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 20" tall Origin: Japan
If you want to brighten up a garden...aquatic or otherwise, here is your plant. This strikingly beautiful iris has creamy white-and-green, vertically striped, broad foliage. Each clump can reach 20" in height with a similar spread. In late spring, each clump is topped with attractive, pale lavender-blue flowers. Iris ensata is happy in all but the driest of garden soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01349
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Iris fulva 'Lois' (Lois's Yellow Copper Iris)
Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9, at least 36" tall Origin: USA
This unique selection of the native Iris fulva was discovered in northeastern Arkansas's Crittenden County by native plant enthusiast Lois Wilson. Instead of the typically copper colored flower, Iris 'Lois' is adorned in early May (NC) with 3' tall stalks, topped with bright golden yellow flowers. All Iris fulva selections prefer rich moist soils for best growth. Thanks to Larry Lowman of Ridgecrest Nursery in Arkansas for naming and sharing this treasure. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05517
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Iris japonica 'Eco Easter' (Evergreen Japanese Iris)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 7-10 12" tall Origin: China, Japan
This Don Jacobs selection of the easy-to-grow evergreen groundcover Iris japonica was made for its increased hardiness and floriferous nature. Iris japonica is notoriously lacking in floral power, but such is not the case with 'Eco Easter'. The iris fans emerge from spreading rhizomes, similar to Iris tectorum, but considerably faster. In early April in NC, the fans are topped with numerous floral sprays of lavender-blue flowers. Each dainty-looking flower is highlighted by a dramatic yellow throat and adjacent purple markings. The rhizomes grow close to the ground and are easy to extract when you are ready to share. If you've got a difficult shady spot, Iris japonica is for you. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05768
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Iris japonica 'Wuhan Angel' (Japanese Iris)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7b-10, at least 20" tall Origin: China
We are pleased to introduce this Hayes Jackson selection of Iris japonica, made in a wooded area at the Wuhan Botanical Garden in Hubei, China in 2001. This stoloniferous groundcover spreads by thin rhizomes just below the mulch surface and makes a 10' wide groundcover-worthy patch in only 3 years. The fans of 20" long sword-like dark green leaves are topped with clusters of white orchid-like flowers in March and early April (NC)...a nice change from the more typical light lavender flowers of this species. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08518
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Iris laevigata 'Variegata' (Striped Water Iris)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-9 30" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Open House/Web-Only!
New crop available 3-4-2010 When I first saw this many years ago in the famed garden of Pennsylvania's Charles Cresson, I was smitten...I had to have this plant. Finally, we not only have it, but we occasionally have enough to share and this is one of those times...although the quantities are always limited. This stunning water iris boasts wide, cream and white striped leaves that hold their color all year. In late May and early June, the vigorous sturdy clumps are topped with light blue, crested iris flowers. I. laevigata needs rich moist soil and grows fine in 6-8" of standing water as an aquatic...a true garden SUPERSTAR! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00283
SOLD OUT
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Iris nelsonii (Nelson's Water Iris)
SunZone: 6b-10 48" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
This unusual southern US native was discovered growing in a swamp in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, near the town of Abbeville. Although it is thought to have originated as a menage a trois between I. fulva, I. brevicaulis, and I. giganticaerulea, it was published as a new species in 1966. I. nelsonii makes a vigorous clump of narrow green foliage, topped in early May with 2" cinnamon-lavender flowers. Either moist soil or up to 4" of standing water suit the plant just fine.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07085
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Iris odaesanensis (Mt. Odae Iris)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-7, at least 8" tall Origin: Korea
My first knowledge of this dwarf iris was during our 1997 Korean expedition when Darrell Probst spotted it growing near Mt. Odae. The small 8" long acorus-like foliage prefers slightly moist soils, but is amazingly drought-tolerant. I. odaesanensis spreads nicely to create a 2-4' wide grass-like mat of foliage in 5 years (depending on soil moisture) that remains evergreen in milder climates. The patch is topped in early spring with lovely white 2" wide flowers, each composed of three large and three small petals, the larger ones highlighted with a light brown blotch...a very high cute quotient. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #08565
SOLD OUT
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Iris prismatica (Slender Blue Iris)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 36" tall Origin: USA
Open House/Web-Only!
Native from Maine south to Georgia, Iris prismatica is found growing in bogs and marshes. The narrow upright foliage forms rhizomatous clumps topped with narrow-petaled flowers in early May. Our selection is from divisions of a clone from Nash County, NC, having lovely violet-blue flowers with falls (the petals that don't stand upright) that display a nice central white pattern. This is an easy-to-grow native that should be in all gardens where moisture is adequate. In 5 years, you can expect a 3' wide patch. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04150
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Iris unguicularis (Winter Blooming Algerian Iris)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-9 18" tall Origin: Turkey, Caucasus
New crop available 1-1-2010 (syn: I. stylosa) The rarely available, winter-blooming Algerian iris is one of our favorites for its ability to flower when few others dare. The narrow green leaves, to only 18" tall, make a dense clump to 18" wide. Starting in October-November (weather permitting), the clumps begin to flower with 2" very fragrant, light lavender-purple flowers...continuing through April (temporarily ceasing when the temperature drops below 15 degrees F). I. unguicularis prefers a dry and well-drained location. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00923
SOLD OUT
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Iris unguicularis 'Mary Bernard' (Winter Blooming Iris)
Sun to Part SunZone: 7-10 12" tall Origin: Algeria
This is one of the best flowering forms of the winter blooming iris we have grown. I. 'Mary Bernard', a wild collection from Algeria, starts blooming slightly earlier in the fall and with slightly larger flowers than many I. unguicularis seedlings. The narrow foliage on tight clumps is topped in late fall and again in late winter/early spring with dark purple flowers nestled just below the leaf tips. All winter blooming iris prefer a well-drained location. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01711
SOLD OUT
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Iris unguicularis spp. cretensis (Winter Blooming Iris)
Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-9 6" tall Origin: Greece
(syn: I. unguicularis var. angustifolia) Here is a rare opportunity to obtain the dwarf narrow-leaf form of the wonderful winter-flowering Algerian iris. This Jim and Jenny Archibald collection of I. unguicularis ssp. cretensis is from Lakonia, Greece, south of Areopoli. This population of plants produces short, narrow, grass-like foliage and flowers that open well above the leaves. The clumps are topped from late winter through spring with deep violet flowers...perfect for a special place in the rock garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04416
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| <Hydrangea - Ipheion] | [Iris II> |
