Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana)
Douglas Iris is the only evergreen Iris native to the West Coast! It's very showy, grows vigorously, is drought tolerant (in its maritime climate), and is deer resistant! It's thick, wide, sword-like leaves and evergreen nature make it an excellent ground cover. Douglas Iris can grow in full sun to deep shade, preferring heavier soils, and tolerating serpentine soil. This plant also tolerates salt spray and wind! Each flower stock often sports 2-3 flowers and flower color can range from deep purple to a light violet-blue, sometimes even white, pink or yellow! Plants generally grow 1-2 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide.
Douglas Iris self-sows when happy creating beautiful colonies that livestock and deer avoid. It hybridizes with other nearby native Irises leading to some very pretty flower colors in the Pacific Coast Iris family. Some natural crosses found in the wild are between Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) X Golden Iris (Iris innominata) and Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) X Oregon Iris (Iris tenax). Unlike Oregon Iris, Douglas Iris can be divided successfully! The ideal time for division is late Winter-early Spring when the new growth is emerging. This is also the best way to propagate any neat natural hybrids you might find growing in your garden!
Douglas Iris is a fantastic plant for nearly any situation, from drainage ditch and rain garden, to the pasture and fenceline, to your shady woodland garden!
Each seed packet contains 60 seeds and germination instructions are included.
Douglas Iris at a glance
- Ave. growth dimensions - 1-2 ft tall x 2-4 ft wide
- Dormancy - Evergreen
- Plant type - Perennial herb
- Sun - Full sun - deep shade
- Water - Low - moderate
- Flowering time - March - July in Oregon
- Soil preference - Heavy rich - poor