PlantFiles: Pacific Coast Iris, Pacifica
Iris douglasiana

I have a question. This states that Iris douglasiana doesn't breed true to type. I just purchased seeds from a reputable place. Does this mean that my seeds will not breed true?

Thanks,

Chuck Bernard

Some years ago, I grew a number of irises from a packet of mixed iris seed. Although some of them turned out to be from the iris family rather than the genus, this was the first actual iris to bloom and, given my general ineptitude, I pronounce them 'easy to grow'!!!
(And nice looking too...)

This beautiful little iris that is native to our area is cream colored or lavender in the wild. It has been very successfully hybridized to produce stunning flowers in the spring on plants that reach about a foot and a half. It takes little or no water during our dry summers, although it looks raggedy if allowed to go all summer without a drink. It prefers some shade during midday and multiplies over time into a sizable clump that can be divided in the fall.

The deep mahogany and creamy coral-gold cultivar that I have looks particularly stunning with another native, sticky monkey flower (Diplacus aurantiacus) which blooms at the same time and echoes the creamy coral in its smaller contrasting flower form.

This beardless hardy Iris from California
has slender, coarse, deep green leaves
that are normally evergreen and spread out to a width of 2 ft. The 3 inch wide flowers are borne in fours or fives on branched stems. They are in shades of blue-purple and lavender, with distinctive veining on the "falls"{the three outer petals}, and appear rom early to mid
summer.

Cultivation: This iris tolerates a little lime in the soil, and needs full or partial shade. However it grows well in nuetral or slightly acid soil.

Propagation: Tends to be short lived, but fortunately is easily increased from seed son during autumn in flats of sterile potting soil at 50`F. Alternatively, lift and divide the rhizomes in autumn, but take care that they do not dry out.