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Iridaceae
Louisiana Iris
Iris giganticaerulea
Bayou beauty and cultural heritage of the South.
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Genus
- Iris
- Native to
- Gulf Coast of the United States, Louisiana
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- rhizomatous perennial
- Height
- 60–120 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist to wet, acidic, rich
- Water
- high; tolerates standing water
- Hardiness
- 6–9
- Lifespan
- perennial; long-lived clumps
Did you know
- Louisiana irises are a group of five wild species that hybridize freely in the bayous and swamps of the Gulf Coast.
- Iris giganticaerulea means 'giant blue iris' and is the most widespread of the Louisiana iris species.
- The fleur-de-lis on the Louisiana state flag is a direct reference to these native irises.
- They are one of the few iris groups that thrive in waterlogged soil and can even grow in shallow standing water.
- Hybridizers have produced thousands of cultivars in virtually every color except true orange.
Color meanings
Blue
Southern heritage and pride
Purple
royalty of the wetlands
White
peace and serenity