The five
Louisiana iris
species
CONVENTION
COVERAGE
I. nelsonii
I. giganticaerulea
I. brevicaulis
I. fulva I. hexagona
All Louisiana iris cultivars
trace their linage back to
Over the last century, hundreds of hybrid Louisiana irises,
called “cultivars”, have been created by hybridizers crosspollinating
iris flowers. These iris cultivars, with flowers of
every color in the rainbow, are the Louisiana irises sold
commercially that we plant in our gardens.
these five species.
While the exact timing varies with each
species, the Louisiana iris bloom season
spans from March through April.
Active growth season for irises takes
place during winter and is greatly
enhanced by plentiful soil moisture,
without which dormancy often occurs
during hot and dry summers.
The Louisiana iris multiplies
both by seeds and offshoot
growth from root structures
called rhizomes.
The seeds, rhizomes,
and leaves are mildly
toxic to wildlife, which
generally leave the
irises undisturbed.
The Greater New Orleans Iris Society
was formed to promote and encourage
interest in the Louisiana iris.
Summer 2018 AIS Bulletin 25