Carried by 5 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Iris missouriensis (syn. I. montana) is a hardy flowering rhizomatous species of the genus Iris, in the family Iridaceae. Its common names include western blue flag, Rocky Mountain iris, and Missouri flag. It is native to western North America. Its distribution is varied; it grows at high elevations in mountains and alpine meadows and all the way down to sea level in coastal hills. Its leaves are quite unpalatable to wildlife and livestock and the roots are poisonous to humans.
Perennial herb, Geophyte
1 - 2 ft Tall
Upright, Spreading
Fast
Winter Deciduous
Purple
Spring
Water features or wet habitats, Deer resistant
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Low, Moderate, High
Max 1x / month once established
Tolerates cold to -15° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Tolerant of a variety of garden soils as long as sufficient moisture is available.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
Old leaves should be removed.
You can separate bulbs, bulb offsets, corms and rhizomes. Frequent divisions tends to keep the plants vigorous. These should be planted immediately, ideally in early Autumn. Seeds can be collected and should be stored at room temperature until planted.
1, 2*, 3*, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 9*, 10, 11, 14, 15*, 16, 18*, 19, 20, 21
Moist, grassy places, such as meadows and streambanks.
Red Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian
Consider pairing with deer fern (Blechnum spicant) or creek dogwood (Cornus sericea), both which also do well in wetter sites.
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 4 likely
American Ear Moth
Amphipoea americana
Verbena Bud Moth
Endothenia hebesana
American Crescent Borer
Helotropha reniformis
Red Swordgrass Moth
Xylena nupera