Pacific Coast Iris

A rainbow of blossoming Pacific Coast iris in spring. Photo: courtesy of Wild Ginger Farm

Many in the iris-growing world consider Pacific Coast iris (PC iris) to be divas, gorgeous in flower but relatively fussy compared to tall and hearty bearded, Louisiana, or spuria irises. It’s time for a new mindset. Here on the West Coast, we are in PC iris homelands. Create the right growing conditions in your garden and enjoy their marvelously intricate jewel-toned flowers each spring—a reward well worth the learning curve. The word iris is Greek for rainbow, a description that fits Pacific Coast iris beautifully.

Flowering clump of Iris tenax. Photo: Elyse Hill

I acquired my first Pacific Coast iris after encountering wild Iris tenax in flower on a hike. I purchased several plants at regional nurseries featuring native plants and most of them thrived. In my dry gardening practice, I grow plants with no supplemental summer water in a mix of full sun to part shade. My early—and largely accidental—success with PC iris was the result of my sou...