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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Pacific Coast Iris



This is a great time to visit the nursery if you are interested in Pacific Coast Irises.  Most of the nursery plants are in flower and the irises in the gardens are also coming into bloom.


Pacific Coast Irises (PCI) are a group of 11 species of beardless irises that occur only in states along the West Coast of the U.S. from Southern Washington southward through Oregon and into Central California.  PCI species and naturally occurring hybrids typically have narrow petals or falls, some with intricate vein patterns, and a prominent patch to attract insects.  They occur in a wide range of colors including white, yellow, blue, and all shades of purple.  



Pacific Coast Irises are so closely related that they hybridize freely with one another to produce new and interesting results. This occurs in nature when they grow in close proximity to one another and it is often difficult to accurately identify plants found in the wild. 



Iris hybridizers have developed complex PCI hybrids and the plants sold in nurseries are often many generations removed from wild plants.  The result of these hybridizing efforts can be seen in an seemingly infinite array of colors, patterns, sizes and forms.  We grow our own PCI hybrids at Wild Ginger Farm and many of the plants we offer are our own hybrids. 


Pacific Coast Irises grow best in Western climates with winter rainfall and low summer rainfall and low humidity.   They are difficult to grow in areas east of the Rockies that have high summer humidity.   PCI are best grown in sun to part shade in well-drained soil with low summer water.  Their drought tolerance makes them welcome and colorful additions to drier areas of sunny and open woodland gardens.


5 comments:

  1. Oh, I went to your link to your vendor page, but it looks like not all the ones pictured here are for sale on your site. I want that orangey one second from the top!

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  2. Yes, some of them are available this year and some won't be available for a year or two. Each new PCI starts as a single unique plant and must be propagated vegetatively. That orange beauty should be ready for sale next season! I still need to come up with a name for it. Suggestions anyone?

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    Replies
    1. Tequila Sunrise
      Sun Burst
      Sun Ray
      Georgia Peach...just a couple.
      I saw these in a search I did because I bought a bunch from Walsterway Iris Farm today because they are retiring and going out of business. Anyways, I was searching the names of the ones I got and there are two I cant find..one is Silver Rose, and the other is Tilt O' whirt. if you know by chance where I can find a pic of those it would be greatly appreciated....anyhow so I found this page during a search and OMG!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!! I just bought every single one you offer!!!LOL and your not that far!! I can drive there from where I am in Washington State...You might be seeing me in the future!!LOL
      Cheers!
      Brett

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    2. I'm also looking to buy ones called "Somebody loves me", and "White Magnificence" if I can find them.
      Thanks guys!!
      Brett

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  3. I would call it ...Sunrise...or......Dawn....The petals have a darker(murky) look like the dark early morning and then the gradual lightening into that beautiful yellow (sunrise) :-)

    A Wild Ginger Customer(ohio)

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