WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

 

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97317-9216

E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
Phone: 503-581-2638; Fax: 503-549-8739

Click here for Home Page: www.nwplants.com

For information about Wallace W Hansen Northwest Native Plant Nursery & Gardens: Business Information (Ordering, etc.)

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Updated April 04, 2008

NORTHWEST NATIVE IRISES (FLAG, FLEUR-DE-LIS)
A Note from Wally: I grow Northwest Native Irises (Flag, Fleur-de-lis) and many other Northwest Native Plants here in my Nursery and Gardens in the Willamette Valley in Western Oregon. I specialize in Northwest Native Plants and sell both Wholesale and Retail, depending on quantity. I usually have plants available year-round in one gallon containers and often in various other container sizes and as Bare Root plants in the Winter months. This site is intended as a reference for all who are interested in Northwest Native Plants: amateur, professional – everyone. For more information, go to my Home Page at www.nwplants.com and then click on Plant Catalog for current prices and availability. Be sure and then click on Plant Sales for any bargains. If you buy in large quantities, check the Wholesale Information Sites on my Home Page.

If you have any information about this species – stories, climates, uses, propagation, etc. please contact me at nwplants@gmail.com. If I publish your tips and information, I will credit you on the web and send you a credit memo.

Native Pacific Coast (Grass) Irises
There is a distinct group of Iris called the Pacific Coast (Grass) Iris. I know of six species of Grass Iris, discussed below, and maybe hundreds of hybrids. These grass irises have narrow grass like leaves, except the Douglas Iris, and form grassy clumps. Flowers are very showy, usually about 18” tall. The Pacific Coast Iris hybridize very easy –too easy. Where several of these wonderful plants are growing in the same area, the seeds may yield all sorts of color combinations. They grow easy from seeds. However, to exactly duplicate the mother plant, propagate by division of the rhizome clump, usually in the early fall. Usually these beauties bloom by the middle of May at elevations below 500 ft . As you explore a bit in the Cascades, you will find some in bloom through June They like plenty of sunshine and well drained, humus-y soil. 
Iris chrysophylla (Slender-tubed Iris)

Flowers from cream yellow to nearly white (sometimes bluish-tinged.) Found in open woods from Marion and Polk counties south to Northern California. Often associated with Ponderosa Pine or Douglas Fir.

Photo by JoAnn Onstott

 
Iris douglasiana (Douglas Iris)

Flowers vary from cream to reddish purple. Found from Coos Bay, Oregon into California. Wider leaves and somewhat larger than the other Pacific Coast Irises. Leaves stay green most of the winter in my Gardens.

Photo by JoAnn Onstott
Iris innominata (Golden Iris)

Deep golden yellow to lighter yellow. Found from Curry County, Oregon, South into California. Cream yellow flowers, with purple tinged sepals. Glossy. Deep green leaves. Found in Southern Oregon and bordering Northern California.

Iris purdyi (Purdyi’s Iris)

While many irises are common and widespread, Iris purdyi has a limited natural habitat. It is primarily found along the coastal region of Northern California and the lowest coastal regions of Southern Oregon. It is a grass iris, which prefers good drainage and part to full sun situations. Purdyi also prefers warmer USDA hardiness zones 8-9, so it is not recommended for colder climates. The flower structure is very open and flat and the blooms are white with a yellow stripe and small touches of lavender. The darker purplish veins are generally fine and not as pronounced as some of the others. It is a good iris for the sunny rock garden or the warm grassy meadow.

Drawing by Marci Degman

Iris tenax (Oregon Iris)

Flowers lavender to dark purple. Found from SW Washington to Northern California. Probably the most beautiful and most common Grass Iris in the NW. If you intend to have only one Native Iris in your garden, choose this species. This is very beautful – I recommend this species.

Photo by Wally Hansen
Iris tenuis (Clackamas Iris)

Found only in Eastern Clackamas County, Oregon (if you can find it for sale or if you can legally collect seed, please let me know! – Good Luck!). Flowers are pure white with variable markings. This is a small Iris, less than a foot tall.

Other Fine Northwest Native Iris
Iris missouriensis (Western Iris, Blue Flag)

This fine Iris is found mainly East of the Cascades in dry, sunny climates. Strangely, this fine plant also occurs in the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound, Washington State. Pale to deep blue flowers. Propagate by division or seeds. Seeds germinate easily and do not seem to hybridize with the Pacific Coast Grass Irises above. Give full sun and do not overwater.

Photo by Wally Hansen
Iris setosa (Wild Flag)

A beautiful blue iris reaching 24” found at low elevations along the West Coast of Alaska and Canada (and also in China and Japan). Wild flag likes wet areas and does very well in a moist garden. Bear in mind that the plant will spread considerably and benefits greatly from dividing every few years. USDA zones 2-8. (Note--this plant is poisonous, especially the rhizome.)

Photo by JoAnn Onstott

Culture and Propagation: I grow Native Iris from seed. Seeds germinate freely without special techniques to break dormancy. You can also propagate by division in the early Fall. I prefer to sow seed in the Fall. I am not aware of any disease in wild Iris but watch those nasty slugs. Here in Western Oregon Iris in the ground survive winters nicely. I have had loss due to cold weather when plants are in pots outside and temperatures drop to 10 degrees with wind. Grass Iris hybridize easily. For “true to species” plants, you must isolate plants.
Romance Of The Iris: The beautiful Pacific Northwest Irises must come from the footsteps of “IRIS”, the beautiful Greek Goddess of the Rainbow! What beauty, what delight! How fortunate, you who have these lovely perennials in your gardens! The Iris has fascinated poets and romantics for centuries. I quote the last three verses from a poem written about 1850 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “Flower-De-Luce” . . . . .

Thou art the Iris,  fair among the fairest,

Who, armed with golden rod

And winged with celestial azure, bearest

The message of some God.

Thou art the Muse, who far from crowded cities

Hauntest the sylvan streams,

Playing on pipes of reed the artless ditties

That come to us as dreams.

O flower-de-luce, bloom on, and let the river

Linger to kiss thy feet!

O flower of song, bloom on, and make forever

The world more fair and sweet.

Availability of Northwest Iris From Wallace W Hansen Nursery and Gardens: Iris tenax is one of my favorite flowers. I love Northwest Iris with so many delightful species and colors and patterns. I love growing them. As of the date on this page, I grow all of the NW Native Iris except Iris innominata, and I. Tenuis. For prices and availability, please check my catalog. For large quantity buyers, check my Wholesale Availability through my Home Page. I grow healthy, very vigorous plants, usually in 1 gallon pots and 4” pots from time to time. I ship everywhere.

You can note above that I do not grow all species – not by choice but I do not have seeds! If you can help I would be very thankful Please email me with your Native Iris experience and comments.

 

Thanks, and happy gardening!

Wally

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