Blue Louisiana iris (Photo by Allen Owings)

Blooming from late March to early May, the Louisiana iris is a floral ambassador that has carried our state’s name all over the world.

Louisiana iris is the name used worldwide for a unique group of native iris species and their hybrids. Their extraordinary beauty and reliability in the garden have made them increasingly popular, but they still deserve more recognition and use here in their home territory. The Louisiana iris is our state’s official wildflower.

Though a number of iris species are native to Louisiana, only five species – Iris brevicaulis, Iris fulva, Iris giganticaerulea, Iris hexagona and Iris nelsonii – are known as “The Louisianans.”

Only in south Louisiana do all five species occur together. They are closely related and will interbreed with each other but with no other species. The crossing, or interbreeding, of these species has resulted in the modern hybrid varieties we grow today. Their large, attractive flowers cover a broad range of colors, including many shades of blue, purple, red, yellow, pink, gold, brown, lavender, burgundy and white.

Be sure to not confuse Louisiana irises with the yellow and blue flag irises. Louisiana irises are much better performers.

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren