Height:

2.0-3.0 Feet

Spread:

2.0 Feet

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Flower Color:

Purple shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Hummingbirds Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant

Growth Rate:

Rapid

Garden Style:

Asian Eclectic Modern Rain Garden Water Garden

Other Features:

Bog Plant Border Plant Cut Flower Mass Planting

Origin:

Native to North America

Louisiana Irises are at their best when grown in wet to boggy soil or in shallow water up to four inches deep.  They tend to bloom heaviest when grown in water.  However, they can also be grown successfully in the garden as long as a consistent source of moisture is available.   The soil should be acidic, as the plants will be more pale in color and overall weaker when grown in soil with a higher pH. 

Louisiana Irises bloom best in full sun but will also grow in partial shade.  Late spring is the ideal time to transplant the rhizomes, though late summer or early fall is also acceptable.  Do not transplant them in the heat of summer or in late fall.  Plants will multiply quickly if sited properly.

These plants are heavy feeders, especially in zones where the growing season is relatively short.  Provide a dose of liquid fertilizer on a regular schedule for best results.

Provide pine straw or other mulch in the fall, but be sure to pull away the mulch early in the spring to prevent rot.

As their name implies, these plants are native to Louisiana and the southern states.  However, they are also cold hardy all the way to zone 4.  Louisiana Irises have one of the broadest growing ranges of all perennials, from zones 4-10.

Growing Temperature:

45-55° F

Soil PH:

6.0-7.0

EC (What is EC?):

1.0-1.5 pour through method

Fertility:

Growers can apply water-soluble fertilizers using 100 ppm of nitrogen as needed or constant liquid fertilization at 50-75 ppm nitrogen with every irrigation. Controlled-release fertilizers can also be used to deliver nutrients by incorporating 0.75-1.0 pounds of elemental nitrogen per cubic yard of growing mix prior to potting.

Pests & Diseases:

Crown and root rot (Sclerotium), leaf spot (Heterosporium,Didymellina), basil rot (Fusarium), rhizome rot (Rhizoctonia), rust (Puccinia), rhizome bacterial soft rot (Erwinia), foliar nematode (Aphelenchoides)

Potting & Timing:

Root Trimming: Rhizomes are available bare root in late summer and in 3" plug form in spring. Generally, they do not need to be trimmed.
The top 25-50% of the rhizome needs to be exposed above the soil line. This is true for the home gardener as well as the grower. Rhizomes potted up in the fall have a better chance of blooming the next season than spring planted plugs.
For bare root rhizomes: Soak in a 10% bleach solution for 15-20 minutes upon arrival. Allow rhizomes to dry in a sunny area for two to three days before planting. Overwintering losses are often attributed to overwatering; water sparingly.

Moisture:

For potting soil use well-drained commercial planting media.
Avoid excessive moisture levels during the fall and winter.

Planting Level:

The top 25-50% of the rhizome should be above the soil line.

PGRs/Pinching:

If height control is necessary, drench applications of paclobutrazol (Bonzi, Paczol or Piccolo) at 6-10 ppm will provide satisfactory results.

Lighting:

Provide high light levels.

Awards

American Iris Society Award of Merit -- 1986

American Iris Society Honorable Mention -- 1982

American Iris Society Mary Swords DeBallion Medal (highest honor for a Louisiana Iris) -- 1989

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