Louisiana Iris (LA)
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These iris are endemic to the state of Louisiana in the USA, having evolved to accommodate the local climate, which is very cold and frosty in the winter, and very hot and humid in the summer. LA species grow in ditches, which were dug to deal with the run-off of floodwater after heavy rain or as a result of thawing snow, so the plants are very hardy. It would appear that with similar conditions in the UK, they could be grown over here, but we do not normally get temperatures high enough to bring them to their full potential, and most people who do grow them have to be satisfied with somewhat stunted growth.
They have, however, become widely distributed in the USA and Australia, because the growers have been able to supply suitable conditions, and a lot of hybridizing has been done on LA’s, producing large flat iris in almost as many colours as the TB’s.
If you fancy a challenge with these beardless iris, then give them a try.
Clive Russell
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