While we don't offer any of the typical tall bearded irises for sale, what we do feature are some really great iris selections and hybrids. Our iris collection includes several US native plants as well as many other garden-worthy selections of Louisiana iris, Japanese Iris, cristata iris, Iris x pseudata (Eye-shadow iris), for sale. We think you will enjoy our iris selections, which include some little-known, but really choice gems.
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As a group, iris species can range from drought-tolerant dry land perennials to bog dwellers and from sun to shade, so there is no set of cultivation rules for the genus as a whole.
Iris flower color runs the gamut from white, pink, yellow and copper to purple, red and blue. The showy flowers also attract hummingbirds. Iris species range from 6' tall in some of the Iris x pseudata to 3" tall with some of the Iris cristata forms. Iris ensata, Iris x louisiana, Iris virginica, Iris versicolor, Iris nelsonii, and Iris x pseudata all prefer a moist to wet soil, while Iris japonica and Iris cristata thrive in drier shade. Iris x hollandica and Iris unguicularis are but a few of the species that prefer dry sun. You'll find an iris for almost any garden condition, and all of them are deer-resistant. When you are ready to buy iris for your perennial garden, we hope you'll check out our extensive online selection of iris for sale here at Plant Delights.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
This superb deer-resistant form of our native Iris cristata was discovered by Samuel Norris (who created the first xpardancandas) of Owensboro, Kentucky, some 37 years ago in a 200-yard long bank of Iris cristata in Litchfield, Kentucky. It was registered and named by Joe Pye Weed Gardens, Massachusetts, in 1998. The light blue flowers, to 3" wide, are gigantic for this species...a hummingbird delight. This vigorously spreading form to 1' tall is a superb choice for a dry location in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This selection of our native woods iris was discovered by mad plantsman, Don Shadow of Winchester, Tennessee. Iris 'Tennessee White' is a vigorous deer-resistant selection that quickly makes a 2' wide deciduous clump, topped just above the foliage in March (NC) with a wonderful display of small, white, thick-textured flowers...a treat for hummingbirds. Everyone who has tried it agrees it is probably the best white-flowered selection of Iris cristata on the market. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
I don't know what an agripinella is, although I think I ate one once in Vietnam, but I do know that the iris by that name is a real stunner. This selection of Japanese iris begins flowering in early June with 3' tall stalks, topped with huge 8" wide flowers with 6 horizontal lavender purple petals, each highlighted by a central white blotch that radiates out into the petal like sun rays...attractive to hummingbirds. As with all Japanese iris, moist soil is best, although they perform fine under typical garden conditions. For best flowering, divide the clumps every 3-4 years...your neighbors asked me to remind you. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This 1961 deer-resistant introduction from Oregon Japanese iris guru, Walter Marx, is one of the shorter Japanese iris we have grown, topping out, starting in mid-June, at 26" tall with flat 6" wide flowers. The wavy petals are white in the center with a ruffled dark purple border...a very nice hummingbird treat. Moist to regular garden soils are fine for Iris 'Sweet Murmur', but divide the clumps every 3-4 years for best flowering. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
If you want to brighten up a garden...aquatic or otherwise, here is your plant. This strikingly beautiful, deer-resistant iris has creamy white-and-green, vertically striped, broad foliage. Each clump can reach 28" tall x 1' wide. In late spring, each clump is topped with attractive, pale lavender-blue flowers. Iris ensata is happy in all but the driest of garden soils. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Here's an oddball if there ever was one. Iris foetidissima, native from England west to Greece, can be found in open woodlands, where the 2' tall clumps of dark green upright evergreen foliage provide a delightful structural element in the winter garden. The small tan and lavender flowers are uglier than the cast of a zombie movie and anyone who says otherwise needs new glasses. The specific epithet indicates stinking...reportedly the leaves smell of roast beef...yeah, right...and I look like Kevin Costner. The beauty of Iris foetidissima is in the seedheads, which split open in mid-October to reveal bright red fruits. Slightly moist soils are best. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
We purchased this dwarf, nameless selection of our southeast US native copper iris from a mail order plant adoption facility in 2003. As promised when we purchased it, it has remained shorter than the typical species, maturing for us at 20" tall. In 2010, we christened it Iris 'Little Cajun'. The evergreen clumps are topped in early May with a splendid display of coppery cinnamon flowers that attract hummingbirds. Iris fulva is super easy to grow since it is equally at home in typical garden soil or in 3-6" of standing water and muck...that's muck with an M! Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
The Dutch iris are deciduous hybrids of three species of bulbous iris which include Iris xiphium, Iris tingitana, and Iris filifolia. Iris 'Eye of the Tiger' bursts forth in mid-April with 2' tall flower stalks, each topped with amazing flowers composed of 3 upright dark blue-purple petals and 3 violet-veined horizontal petals, each highlighted with a bright yellow central blotch...a hummingbird delight. We have found Dutch Iris to be superb, carefree plants when grown in well-drained soils. They also are wonderfully tolerant of hot, dry summers. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
Iris 'Oriental Beauty' is a striking Dutch iris selection with bicolor yellow and white falls (horizontal petals), and contrasting light blue standards (upright petals). For us, the 2' tall stalks begin to open in mid-April...a hummingbird hangout. Well drained soils are best. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This Don Jacobs selection of the easy-to-grow evergreen groundcover Iris japonica was made for its increased hardiness and floriferous nature. Iris japonica is notoriously lacking in floral power, but such is not the case with 'Eco Easter'. The deer-resistant iris fans emerge from spreading rhizomes, similar to Iris tectorum, but considerably faster. In early April in NC, the fans are topped with numerous floral sprays of lavender-blue flowers...a hummingbird favorite. Each dainty-looking flower is highlighted by a dramatic yellow throat and adjacent purple markings. The rhizomes grow close to the ground and are easy to extract when you are ready to share. If you've got a difficult shady spot, Iris japonica is for you. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
We are pleased to have introduced and named this 2001 Hayes Jackson selection of the deer-resistant Iris japonica, made in a wooded area at the Wuhan Botanical Garden in Hubei, China. This stoloniferous groundcover spreads by thin rhizomes just below the mulch surface and makes a 10' wide groundcover-worthy patch in only 3 years. The fans of 20" long sword-like dark green leaves are topped with clusters of white orchid-like flowers in March and early April (NC)...a nice change from the more typical light lavender flowers of this species. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(Chowning 78) This award-winning, deer-resistant louisiana iris makes a huge, 5' tall clump of wide, iris-like foliage, topped in early May with stunning, Elvis-like, dark blue, velvet-colored flowers...a hummingbird haven. Iris x louisiana 'Black Gamecock' grows equally as well in moist soils as in 4" of standing water. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(Pryor 94) This vigorous selection of Louisiana iris makes 3' tall x 5' wide deer-resistant clumps in just 3 years when grown in a moist, rich soil...shallow standing water is also just fine. Patches of Iris 'Brushfire Moon' are topped in late April through early May with 3' tall spikes of brilliant golden yellow flowers that make it glow like a giant lightning bug in the garden...a hummingbird beacon. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(Rowlan 90) If you've been lonely at night, maybe a little 'Cajun Love' along with a heap of Zydeco music is just what the plant doctor ordered. This vigorous deer-resistant, hummingbird-friendly selection of Louisiana iris is topped in early May with large brownish-violet flowers, each highlighted by vivid yellow markings on the three falls. Louisiana iris grow equally well in moist soil or in standing water up to 4" high. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(J. Ghio 81) This stunning and easy-to-grow Louisiana iris hybrid has been the rage in our garden for the last few years at our Spring Open House, so we finally got around to potting a few. The deer-resistant, evergreen, sword-like foliage is topped in early May with cinnamon-lavender flowers with bright yellow centers...attractive to hummingbirds. I know the color sounds hard to believe, but this hybrid is amazing. For best results, Iris x louisiana 'Handmaiden' should be planted in a bog or in evenly moist garden soil. In 3 years, expect a 3' wide clump. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(Pryor 97) This 1997 Louisiana iris introduction is an obscenely vigorous selection that makes a 3' tall x 8' wide patch in just three years...if you keep it happy. The massive deer-resistant clump is topped in late April through early May with large, lavender hummingbird-friendly flowers with narrow, white borders. If you can provide good, moist, rich soils or even shallow standing water, Iris x louisiana 'Now and Forever' is a can't-miss plant for even the brownest of thumbs. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
(J. Mertzweiller 80) This deer-resistant 1980 tetraploid introduction makes a robust 3' tall clump of vertical green leaves topped, starting in mid-May, with large, 5" tall, light lavender-blue flowers...a hummingbird treat. Iris 'Professor Paul' is equally happy planted in moist soils or 4" of standing water. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
How can you resist a plant with such a wonderful name? Thanks to our friend, Dr. Kevin Vaughn of Oregon, for breeding this appropriately named selection. Kevin's 1997 introduction was awarded the DeBallion Award in 2005...the highest honor for a Louisiana Iris. Iris 'Red Velvet Elvis' produces 3' tall spikes of large flowers made up of ruby falls and mauve standards (they aren't red unless you're color blind) starting in early May...a hummingbird favorite. As with all Louisiana iris, they can be grown in slightly moist soil or in shallow standing water. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
This unusual southern US native was discovered growing in a swamp in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, near the town of Abbeville. Although it is thought to have originated as a menage a trois between Iris fulva, Iris brevicaulis, and Iris giganticaerulea, it was published as a new species in 1966. Iris nelsonii makes a vigorous clump of narrow, green, deer-resistant foliage, topped in early May with 2" cinnamon-lavender flowers...a hummingbird hangout. Either moist soil or up to 4" of standing water suits this plant just fine. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
My first knowledge of this dwarf iris was during our 1997 Korean expedition when Darrell Probst spotted it growing near Mt. Odae. The small 8" long, acorus-like foliage prefers slightly moist soils, but is amazingly drought-tolerant. Iris odaesanensis spreads nicely to create a 2-4' wide grass-like mat of foliage in 5 years (depending on soil moisture) that remains evergreen in milder climates. The patch is topped in early spring with lovely, 2" wide, small white hummingbird-attracting flowers, each composed of three large and three small petals, the larger ones highlighted with a light brown blotch...a very high cute quotient. Pot Size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)
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