Douglas Iris

Iris douglasiana

perennial herbView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

very low

Soil

well-drained; tolerates clay; no summer water

Size

1–2ft tall, 1–2ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May · blue, purple, lavender, white

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Coastal California from Santa Barbara to southern Oregon

Elegant iris flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white

Hybridizes easily with other Pacific Coast irises; many garden selections

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Douglas Iris in part shade to full sun in soil rich with organic matter - it prefers heavy soils and tolerates clay well. Space plants to allow room for clumping growth, as they naturally form dense mounds. Plant in fall or winter to take advantage of the rainy season for establishment. Avoid sites with summer water from irrigation unless you're in an inland area; if you're near the coast, this plant thrives on fog and cooler temperatures with minimal supplemental water.

After Planting

Water every 2 to 4 weeks during summer if you're not in a coastal area or near a naturally wet spot; established plants need water only about once a month maximum. Once established, you can dramatically reduce summer watering, especially if fog and coastal influence are part of your microclimate. This is an evergreen groundcover that requires minimal pruning - just remove dead foliage as needed. The #1 mistake is overwatering: Douglas Iris is tougher than it looks and prefers drier conditions than most gardeners expect.

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