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4. LOUISIANA IRISES (LA)
are native to the American Gulf
Coast; but given ample water in
Spring and a hot summer they
can be grown into Canada. They
are similar to the botanical Series
Hexagonae.
They are popular as water plants
on the edges of ponds but can do
well in a normal garden bed. The
blooms are usually very wide petaled and open, showing brightly col-ored
style arms and sharp signal crests.
5. PACIFIC COAST NATIVES
(CA) are similar to the botanical series
Californicae, Outside of their natural
range they can present a challenge to
growers but their often unique colors
and dazzling appearance drive many to
try their luck. Where they can become
established, they grow most attrac-tively
with graceful and dainty flowers
held 1 to 2 ft. high.
6. SPECIES This garden class includes the 350+ botanical species and is
the root of all the preceding classes. Since these wildflowers come from
every type of environment from desert to swamp and mountain top to
grassland, the culture of each needs
to be specified individually.
This horticultural class recognizes
selections that have special garden
value from out of the variable
natural populations. For example
Iris laevigata „Colchesterensis‟ is
strikingly different from the nor-mal
laevigatas and makes a great
accent in water gardens.