Iris purdyi

Common Names

Purdy's Iris, Redwood Iris, Bearded Iris

Summary

Purdy's iris is a north coast California to southern Oregon native perennial in the Iridaceae, a rhizomatous geophyte that grows in open to shady redwood and mixed evergreen forests below 1200 m and can form small colonies, with narrow leaves and flowering stalks bearing one to two pale creamy yellow to white flowers with brownish purple veins or lavender tinges, blooming April–July and reaching about 20–35 cm in height. The plant exhibits stems and leaves that may show mahogany red or cerise pink tones.

Cultivation favors well-drained, lime-free soils with partial shade and avoidance of root disturbance; propagation occurs by seed or division, with seed capsules yielding 20–80 seeds and seeds storing up to 10 years, germination better in the second year. Hardiness ranges from USDA zones 8–11, and the plant is deer-resistant with nectar attracting insects and hummingbirds; Native American uses include fibers from exterior leaves for rope and leaves for light tan paper.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-18 inches

Spread

6-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil; avoid compacted or moisture-retaining soils.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic soil

Bloom Color

Creamy white to pale yellow with lavender tinges and purple-pink veining on falls.

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, often dark green to gray-green with pink-tinted edges and gray-green (glaucous) undersides.

Fall Foliage Color

Mahogany red

Growth Rate

Sparse grower

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts insects (pollinators), hummingbirds, birds