Close-up of purple Douglas iris in bloom (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

A single purple Douglas iris flower (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana) with blue-green striped petals, surrounded by companion plants. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Closeup of a single white Douglas iris flower (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana) with delicate purple and pale yellow veining, photographed close-up against a background of dry pine needles and soil. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Evergreen, sword-like foliage of Douglas iris (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

A close-up of a purple Douglas iris flower (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana) with blue and yellow striped inner petals, photographed outdoors among green leaves and brown mulch. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Close-up of white Douglas iris flower (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana) surrounded by its green sword-like foliage. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

A close-up of Douglas iris (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana) in late summer with a dried, spent flower surrounded by lush green leaves in an outdoor natural setting.

A dirt hiking trail winds through a hillside covered in Douglas isis flowers (Iris douglasii or Iris douglasiana) with small purple wildflowers under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Douglas Iris

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Iris douglasii (syn Iris douglasiana)

Douglas iris is a beautiful, evergreen, clump-forming perennial that thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Its attractive, tall, sword-like foliage provides year-round interest, while spring brings a spectacular display of showy purple, blue, lavender, cream, or white flowers that bloom above the foliage and brighten the garden with long-lasting seasonal color. Highly valued as a pollinator plant, Douglas iris attracts native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects and performs beautifully in borders, rock gardens, erosion-control plantings, rain gardens with good drainage, and low-maintenance, water-wise landscapes.

Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, herbaceous plant
Size at maturity: 12-36" tall, slowly forming clumps up to 48" wide over time
Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil, prefers well-drained
Bloom time: March - July
Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, easy to grow
Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar for hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; overall plant attracts and supports beneficial and other pest-eating insects
Native habitat/range: grows on coastal cliffs, in pastures and on grassy slopes, usually from sea level to only about 100m, generally within two miles from coast, from Southern Oregon to Central California. Portland Plant List - no.
Special features & uses: supports hummingbirds; deer resistant; drought-tolerant once established; exceptionally strong fibers leaves can be used for weaving and rope making; landscape uses include meadowscapes, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, woodland garden edges, raingardens or bioswales and container gardens

Gardening with Douglas Iris: This beauty grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil and moderate moisture during its growing season, although established plants tolerate summer drought and adapt well to dry, water-wise landscapes. Use this versatile Oregon/California native to create naturalistic drifts in habitat gardens, woodland edges, rock gardens, or on slopes where its evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and its spring blooms complement other native wildflowers and grasses. For the healthiest plants, provide occasional deep watering, i.e. 1x per month, during the first 1-2 growing seasons and avoid poorly drained soils that can lead to root rot. Some gardeners choose to divide crowded clumps every few years after flowering to maintain vigor. It hybridizes readily with other irises and the flowers can be highly variable in color.

Companion Plants: Use with other plants that prefer rich, heavy soils and more moisture such as sedges, rushes, western columbine (Aquilegia formosa), white fawn lily (Erythronium oregonum), woodland strawberry (fragaria vesca), thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), native roses (Rosa gymnocarpa or R. pisocarpa), blue blossom ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), and trees such as Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) or native evergreens.

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