Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Del Norte County Iris is a perennial herb that is native to southern Oregon, and California along the north coast and Klamath Ranges in Del Norte County, California. It is a very small iris. It tends to grow in slopes, at elevations from 3300-4600 feet. The leaves are dense and evergreen, up to 20 cm. The flower can vary between a deep golden yellow with darker veins and a deep purple with lighter veins. The flower stems are about 12 cm and usually bear 1-2 flowers in spring. It spreads by rhizomes like other irises. Commonly sold in nurseries, often as hybrid Varieties: Iris innominata, used in gardens, does best in locations with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, in neutral or slightly acidic soil, with good drainage, and sun or partial shade. It is often used for hybridizing with other Iris species. Many plants sold under this name in nurseries are hybrids.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

5 - 8 in Tall

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

None

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Color

Purple, Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Groundcover, Deer resistant

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 20° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Neutral or slightly acidic, good drainage.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0

Propagation

It will reseed itself, but if other irises are in the area you may get unpredictable hybrids. To maintain a pure type, use cuttings from the rhizome, preferably in October.  For propagating by seed: No treatment. Sow in early fall outdoors.

Sunset Zones

4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24

Site type

Slopes with well drained soil in Ponderosa Pine forest

Plant communities

Yellow Pine Forest