SPECIES IRIS CULTURE
Bob Pries
33
Species Irises
Since there are species of Iris in-digenous
to practically every type
of environment in the northern
Hemisphere there is undoubtedly
an iris that would enjoy any gar-den
situation that you have.
Since most Iris like sun, perhaps
the most restrictive niche is in the
shade. But even in dense shade
there is iris cristata that forms a
beautiful, woodland ground cover.
Many other species enjoy part to
almost full shade. Species such as
I. confusa, odaesanensis, verna,
japonica, formosana, and many
Pacific Coast Natives can handle
some shade. Some irises such as
I. graminea, I foetidissima, and
Iris fulva will grow in some
shade but given adequate mois-ture
perhaps do better in sun. An-other
given is that most Iris like
well drained soil but there are
some that like having lots of
water in the Spring like many
spurias species, Japanese Iris and
some other beardless. Other Irises
tolerate being in water or moist
soil for the entire growing season,
most Louisiana Iris and species
fit this situation. Other iris de-mand
water throughout the year
such as Iris virginica, laevigata,
and pseudacorus and are often
sold as pool plants.
For those with access to the inter-net,
the American Iris Society
sponsors an online Encyclopedia
that is being developed by Irisari-ans
around the world. More spe-cific
information about Species
iris can also be found there.