Pacific Coast Iris Mixed

Plants carry the fondest memories of the people who grew them, and this collection is incredibly close to our hearts. Gifted to us by Cynthia, our Operations Manager in loving memory of her late grandmother, who carefully nurtured them for years, we are currently building up stock with the aim of releasing named varieties in the future, but once again, this highly limited release is a lucky dip of unnamed colours.

Our Nursery Manager has allowed us to take another small amount of these precious Pacific Coast Iris for this special release!

Also known as Californian Iris, Pacific Coast Iris are the true divas of the Iris world. These low-growing hybrids show off clumps of grass-like foliage and beardless flowers in an array of amazing colours. They are possibly one of the most colourful and truly striking of all the Iris groups. But as captivating as they are, be warned: these beautiful plants are extremely tricky to multiply, which is why they are rarely offered for sale!

Cultivation & Care Secrets Originating on the Pacific Coast of America and California, these easy-to-hybridize varieties are extremely particular about how they are treated. They need extra effort in order to establish and grow well. To honor their heirloom heritage and find success in your own garden, you must follow these strict rules: • Soil & Position: A neutral to acid soil with excellent drainage is a must. They strictly prefer a dappled shade position rather than the full sun where most other Iris species thrive. • Establishment: These plants resent root disturbance. They will often take a good year to settle in and begin to flower. When they do, it is a magnificent sight to behold—the wait is definitely worth it. • Watering & Climate: Pacific Coast Iris love a wet Winter and enjoy regular Spring rains. However, once Summer arrives, they require watering only once a week at most. They will not tolerate humid weather; their root systems must be kept reasonably dry and cool during the Summer. • Potted Plants & Mulch: Mulching is an absolute must. If you are keeping your plants in pots, ensure they are kept out of sunny positions and take extra care not to overwater them.

The Golden Rule: Timing Root Disturbance

The ultimate key to success with this variety is your transplanting and repotting schedule. This can only be done when the roots are actively growing, or the plants will most likely fail. • The Safe Window: Any sort of disturbance to the roots must be done between May & July. This is just as they are emerging from dormancy and new white roots are developing. • The "Scratch" Test: Check for activity by having a gentle, careful scratch around the base of your plants. Be guided by what you find. If the roots are white, now is the time to move them. If not, it is best to reschedule. • The Risk: Division or repotting at any other time of the year is extremely risky. You run a very high chance of losing most of your precious plants.

By taking home a piece of this lucky dip, you aren't just adding a rare collector's plant to your garden—you are continuing a beautiful generational story.

Note: Image is a suggestion of what colours are available but is no guarantee as to what colour an individual plant is.

CAUTION Harmful if eaten