Pacific Coast irises are found in the western United States, mostly Oregon and California, but also Washington. These are a subgrouping of Beardless Irises and grow from rhizomes. Most of them are evergreen and are native to areas with wet winters, relatively dry summers, and moderate temperatures. They flower in the spring to early summer and seem to appreciate occasional summer water and a bit of shade, especially in warmer summer areas. They can be challenging to divide and transplant and this is best done in October, just as they start into growth with the start of the rainy season. New transplants must be watched carefully for fungal infections, and a fungicide drench at planting time can help tide them over. There have been many hybrids between the various species and these are often sold as Pacific Coast hybrids with cultivar names. Pictures of some of these hybrids will be found below the species on this page.
See related PBS iris wiki pages:
Aril Irises - Belamcanda - Beardless iris A-K - Beardless iris L-R - Beardless iris S-Z - Crested Irises - Garden Bearded Irises - Hermodactylus - Iris index - Juno Irises - Miscellaneous Irises - Pardanthopsis - Reticulata Irises - Spanish Irises
Iris douglasiana is a native of California and Oregon growing on the edge of coastal forests and on bluffs and prairies overlooking the sea. Flower color ranges from blue to violet to cream and blooming time from late winter into late spring. The first three pictures below were taken at Manchester State Beach in the spring and the fourth one of a garden plant. In the garden I have found that cutting all the leaves back to the ground in early fall every couple of years improves my plants visually as old leaves can sometimes be unattractive. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.
Iris hartwegii grows at relatively high altitudes in the Sierras and southern California. It can be yellow or purple, and generally grows in open areas in pine woodlands. Because of the altitude at which they grow, these Iris are almost certainly more cold-hardy than many other PCIs, and are worth a try by growers in cold climates. The flowers pictured are probably I. hartwegii ssp. australis. They were photographed at the end of June along a road near Huntington Lake, CA. Photos by Michael Mace.
Iris innominata is found in California in Del Norte County and also in Oregon. It has narrow leaves and showy flowers in yellow or purple. It does very well in shady spots or rock gardens. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.
Iris macrosiphon is found in open woods and has very narrow leaves taller than the flowers and colors of pale purple, pale yellow to white, apricot or blue or blue-purple. The first one was grown from seed and photographed by Bob Rutemoeller. It took a number of years before first flowering. The second one photographed by Mary Sue Ittner was growing along the road near Table Mountain in Butte County, California.
Iris macrosiphon 'Mt. Madonna' - just recently arrived in Riverside, CA. The species is native to California and Oregon. Purchased about to bloom from the UCI winter bulb/plant sale. Photo by Jennifer Hildebrand.
Iris munzii is found in blue oak woodlands with a thick understory of annual grass. They are listed as rare threatened or endangered by the California native plant society. The largest of the Pacific Coast Irises, these are tall, straight, and stately plants. The flowers are pale blue to lavender to purple. Munzi's Iris is endemic to the southern Sierra Nevada foothills in Tulare county, California, where these photos were taken by Mary Gerritsen in April, 2008.
Iris purdyi is found in the coastal forests of the north Coast ranges. It has narrow leaves and pale yellow flowers, often tinted purple or veined with purple or brown. This first two photos were taken by Bob Rutemoeller of a plant growing wild along the road in Sonoma County, Northern California. The last two photos were taken by Mary Sue Ittner.
Iris tenax is found in southwestern Washington and western Oregon into California. It has one or two flowers with erect large standards. Flower color is lavender to white, cream and yellow. It has narrow grassy green leaves and is deciduous. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner of plants grown from seed.
Pacific Coast Hybrids is the name used for some of the hybrids. Below are pictures taken by Bob Rutemoeller of some of them. The first is called 'Big Smile'.
The following were given to me by a friend who grew them from seed. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
For more information about these irises visit the Society for Pacific Coast Native Irises.
See related PBS wiki pages:
Aril Irises - Belamcanda - Beardless iris A-K - Beardless iris L-R - Beardless iris S-Z - Crested Irises - Garden Bearded Irises - Hermodactylus - Iris index - Juno Irises - Miscellaneous Irises - Pardanthopsis - Reticulata Irises - Spanish Irises