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Iris Fulva 'Louisiana Hybrids' Louisiana Iris

Edward F. Gilman, Carol Lord, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Introduction

Louisiana iris hybrids (also Iris breuicaulis, Iris giganticaerulea) have dark green, sword-like leaves and rhizomatous roots. They grow 2 to 4 feet tall and bear 3 to 4inchlong flowers of white, cream, yellow, bronze, pink, red, blue, purple, or near black. These spring flowers are often cut for flower arrangements. Louisiana iris hybrids are clumping, spreading, or upright perennials that can be used as background or specimen plants. They are also useful in a mass planting.

Full Form - Iris Fulva 'Louisiana Hybrids': Louisiana Iris
Figure 1. Full Form - Iris Fulva 'Louisiana Hybrids': Louisiana Iris
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

 

Flower - Iris Fulva 'Louisiana Hybrids': Louisiana Iris
Figure 2. Flower - Iris Fulva 'Louisiana Hybrids': Louisiana Iris
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

General Information

Scientific name: Iris fulva 'Louisiana hybrids'

Pronunciation: EYE-riss FULL-vuh

Common name(s): Louisiana iris

Family: Iridaceae

Plant type: herbaceous; ground cover

USDA hardiness zones: 6 through 10 (Figure 3)

Planting month for zone 7: year round

Planting month for zone 8: year round

Planting month for zone 9: year round

Planting month for zone 10: year round

Origin: native to Florida

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: border; mass planting; ground cover; edging

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 3. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Credit:

Description

Height: 2 to 3 feet

Spread: 2 to 3 feet

Plant habit: upright

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: linear

Leaf venation: parallel

Leaf type and persistence: semi-evergreen; evergreen

Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white; red; yellow; pink; purple; cream; bronze; blue; near black

Flower characteristic: spring flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown

Fruit length: unknown

Fruit cover: unknown

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable

Current year stem/twig color: not applicable

Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun

Soil tolerances: acidic; sand; loam; clay

Drought tolerance: high

Soil salt tolerances: unknown

Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Louisiana iris hybrids grow best in a full sun to partially shaded location in the landscape. They require an acidic soil in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 and prefer moist soils with high organic matter content. They will grow in a sandy soil that receives some irrigation in prolonged dry spells. These hybrids are tolerant to drought but will also endure wet soils. These plants are frozen to the ground in freezing temperatures but will regenerate from the roots with the onset of warm weather.

Propagate these hybrids by division or from seed.

Pests and Diseases

Louisiana iris hybrids are pest tolerant.

Publication #FPS-286

Release Date:November 6, 2023

Related Collections

Part of Shrubs Fact Sheets

Related Topics

  • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Organism ID

About this Publication

This document is FPS-286, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Revised October 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus; Carol Lord, master gardener, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture; and Gail Hansen, professor, sustainable landscape design; Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Gail Hansen de Chapman