louisiana iris

17 years ago

Does anyone know if Louisiana iris are hardy for the WNY area? I'm in Amherst, if that helps, so not as cold as some of the outlying areas.

I think they're really beautiful, and I haven't seen them offered at nurseries around here, so I figure I'd have to order them and didn't want to waste my money if they aren't hardy enough.

Any recommendations for where to obtain them? (does anywhere locally have them available, even in limited varieties?) Preferred web sites for ordering?

Also, how dry a soil will they take? Most of my boggy areas are in the shade, but do tend to dry somewhat in the summer. I have one partly sunny bed that tends to hold some moisture, it's too wet for bearded iris but ok for siberian. Would they grow there?

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

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Comments (5)

penny1947
17 years ago
I am growing La. Irises!!!!!!!It took me two years to find what I wanted but I finally got them this spring. I wasn't able to find ANYONE up here in the Buffalo/Niagara area that had a clue about La. Irises. None of the nurseries I had contacted new what they were or where to get them.

There are several places online that sell them but they are not cheap. I wanted the species Iris Fulva and not many places carry that one. The La. Irises grow best in wet/boggy conditions and at least part sun and are supposed to be hardy at least to zone 6. Full sun is just a tad too intense for them. I have mine about a foot away from the wettest part of my yard mainly due to winter freeze. They will get plenty of moisture but it drains a little better in that area. This will be the first winter mine have been in the ground so it will be a test. Right now that area is almost waterlogged b/c of all the rain we have had but they seem to be doing fine.

Iris City Gardens. in Nashville sells La. Irises and so does Fairweather Gardens in New Jersey. I will have to check my resources as I know there are other dependable retailers.

Penny
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
17 years ago
Here in eastern New York, the two hardiest Louisianas are considered to be Black Gamecock and Dorothea K. Williamson. I've been growing D. K. Williamson for several years in my regular garden, and while it hasn't set the world on fire, it has slowly increased. I was told by several people that with the exception of the extremely hardy varieties, water iris should be in regular garden soil in this climate because they can't handle icing over. That's why it is in the garden and not the swamp.
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tastefullyjulie
17 years ago
I just got some in a trade... Black gamecock and Anne Chowning. I had never even heard of them before. According to Daves Garden the black gamecock are most hardy and they will do well as long as they get sufficient water, not necessarily standing water. I've planted mine right next to the house for added protection from the weather just in case, Anne Chowning is only hardy to 6b and I'm technically 6a.

Here is a link that might be useful: black gamecock
penny1947
17 years ago
Black Gamecock is a beautiful iris. Below is a link to the ones that I have which are growing like crazy right now.

Penny

Here is a link that might be useful: Iris Fulva (Copper Iris)
docjsf
17 years ago
i grew black gamecock and fulva in rochester.