Crested Iris is native to the southeastern and south central USA. it makes a groundcover that spreads by rhizomes. The most ideal site is to be in partial shade with some direct sunlight a few hours in the morning or later afternoon, and on a slope as it likes well-drained but still moist soil. Highly fertile soils promote excessive vegetative growth and the clumps tend to open up and not be as good a cover. My biggest customer has a group growing in full sunlight in moist soil in a flat area and they are alright but not wonderful, and the Barrenwort groundcover nearby keeps invading and overcoming them. It is a really nice short perennial for some small areas. I would not go crazy to plant lots of this in a garden-landscaping. It is easily propagated by division in early fall. Seed should be sown as soon as possible after being collected. It is possible for slugs to be a problem.

Reply to this comment