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Iris longipetala
Also called Central Coast Iris, Long Petaled Iris, Coast Iris
Long Petal Iris is a rhizomatous perennial native to coastal grasslands of western California, grown for its large, narrow-petaled blue to lavender flowers. Give it moist, well-drained soil and full sun on the coast, with a bit of shade inland.
Iris longipetala is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Limniris and in the series Longipetalae. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from North America. It has dark green or bluish green, grass-like leaves, small stem and 3–8 flowers, that range from creamy-white, pale blue to lavender blue. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
It is hardy to USDA Zone 3, which is not hardy below 10 degrees F.
It can be planted in sun or part shade, it tolerates full sun in coastal areas and a little shade inland with regular watering through the blooming period. It requires less water after the flowering period has ended. It prefers soils with good drainage. It will survive a long period of summer dryness except in hot inland areas. It is deer resistant, and it also cattle resistant, due to the foliage being unpalatable.
Like many other irises, most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. Also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
It is spread over the coastal grasslands in moist open spaces. It is also found in grazed pastures (due to its cattle resistance).
Iris acutiloba subsp. lineolata · Iris acutiloba · Iris adriatica · Iris afghanica · Iris alberti · Iris albomarginata · Iris alexeenkoi · Single Bract Iris · Iris antilibanotica · Stool iris · Iris arenaria · Iris assadiana
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Iris longipetala by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
