If you are looking for a star plant for a consistently wet area this Louisiana Iris is a great choice. A nativar that is at home in swampy or boggy areas, this iris makes a great plant for a rain garden or a low lying area that doesn’t regularly dry out. In late-spring you’ll be rewarded with huge 4-6” blooms that flatten out to reveal deep regal purple centers and a thin gold signal on each petal. 

Best grown in shallow water up to 4 inches deep or boggy soil Louisiana Irises need water to survive. They can be grown in a garden, but must have consistently moist soil that should not be allowed to dry out. They require acidic conditions and will grow less vigorously in soils with a high PH. Wood mulch will help maintain soil moisture and undisturbed wood mulch will also increase the PH. A soil test is recommended to see if you have suitably acidic soil.

Photo Credit: Walters Gardens

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.

Iris Black Gamecock - Louisiana Iris

The is no other more important factor for a Louisiana iris than water. These plants do best in full su, but can be grown in up to partial shade. Transplant rhizomes in late spring for best success, but they can also be transplanted in summer and fall if you avoid hot temperatures. Louisiana Iris requires rich soil and benefits from supplemental fertilizer. We recommend a slow release fertilizer applied in the early spring before the plants emerge from dormancy and refreshed in the late summer if necessary. These perennials are surprisingly cold hardy and can be grown all the way into zone 4 with success. Divide these plants every 3-4 years. Do your division in the spring or fall and simply dig up the entire clump then replant the divisions in another location. Plant rhizomes 2-3 inches deep, as new roots will form in the soil above the old roots. When you start to see new roots at the surface it will be time to divide them again.