Iris Hybridization Varieties

Louisiana Irises

• The Louisiana irises, also known as the Hexagonae series, are all hybrids of five species of iris native to the Mississippi Delta: Iris fulva, I. brevicaulis, I. giganticaerulea, I. nelsonii and I. hexagona. Many of the hybrids sold today are cultivated from hybrids that occur naturally in the wild. Some of these found hybrids include Lottie Butterscotch, Edith Dupree and Baton Rouge Passalong. Louisiana irises are easy to grow and thrive in moist, fertile soil. They grow throughout winter, flower in the spring, then enter into a summer dormancy.

Japanese Irises

• Japanese irises produce flat flowers. They usually are large -- about 8 inches in diameter -- and bloom between June and August. They do best in sun or partial shade with rich, moist, acidic soil. Some cultivars include the deep purple Agoga-Kujyo; Hatsukagami, a red-veined white flower; and the yellow Rising Sun.

Siberian Irises

• These hardy irises have plentiful, arching green foliage that remains green throughout the summer. In late spring they bloom with delicate flowers in nearly every color. They tolerate a wide range of soil types but prefer damp to wet conditions. They like full sun as well. Ruffed Violet blooms in early June with deep violet flowers. Joretta is a tall, deep-blue variety at 40 inches in height. White Swirl blooms in early June with white and yellow flowers.

Bearded Irises

• A fuzzy patch on the downturned petal at the front of the flower gives this large and diverse group its name. Bearded irises come in sizes ranging from the 8-inch, pale-yellow Lemon Puff to the 36-inch, white Laced Cotton. Bearded irises bloom in early to late spring and have a period of summer dormancy. Cut foliage back when it yellows in the fall to ensure it blooms again in spring.