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More information »	Iris chrysophylla (slender-tubed iris) Native to far northern California and into western Oregon, this uncommon iris grows in fast draining soils in open forests and woodlands. A small scale iris, usually under 12 inches tall in bloom, spreads slowly from slender rhizomes. The delicate blossoms flower in the spring and can vary in color from white to cream to yellow, with a central yellow splash and prominent dark venation. Grow in sun to light shade with occasional to little watering. Visited by bees and hummingbirds. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris douglasiana (Douglas iris) Native to the California coast from Santa Barbara to Oregon. Grows both on the edge of coastal forests and on bluffs and prairies along the ocean. Clumps of evergreen, sword-shaped leaves increase readily and are topped with violet-purple blossoms early to mid spring. Important nectar producer for native bees. An adaptable garden subject for cool full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant once established, but occasional summer water will help keep foliage fresher. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow' (white Douglas iris) A dependable and floriferous selection of the native Douglas iris, with springtime flowers that are pure white with yellow markings on the falls. Broad shiny blades are mostly evergreen and grow a foot or more tall and form compact clumps. Plant in sun to part shade, particularly in hot inland areas, with moderate to little summer water. Prefers good drainage but will grow well on clay soils provided they are mounded up. Too much summer water on heavy soils will prove fatal. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris douglasiana 'Marin Mauve' (iris) Plant description coming soon.
More information »	Iris douglasiana 'Pt. Reyes' (iris) This is the classic iris seen along our coastline. A vigorous form with compact dark green leaves and a profusion of dark purple flowers, spreading to form large clumps. Beautiful when grown in a meadow of native grasses and coastal wildflowers. Prefers light shade in warmer areas and occasional water for it to look its best. Pruning the leaves down to the ground in the Fall can help the plant maintain a fresh appearance. Deer tolerant.
More information »	Iris douglasiana - Robust Form (Douglas iris) We discovered this incredibly striking form of the popular Douglas iris near Tannery Gulch, outside of Occidental. The dark, evergreen leaves reach up to an astounding three feet in height, and are exceptionally broad. Even though these are grown by seed, the flowers are a dependable lavender-blue, with sprays of white and yellow, held on tall stalks reaching up to a foot above the foliage! Grows well in dappled shade in hotter areas, but can take full sun where there is coastal influence. While drought tolerant, occasional deep soaks keep them looking verdant and vigorous. Deer and gopher resistant.
More information »	Iris douglasiana v. major (Marin iris) This rare form of the Douglas iris occurs throughout Marin County, offering a rainbow of possible flower colors, including blue-purple, mauve, creamy yellow and white, with all sorts of gradations in between. Since these are seed grown, the color will be a surprise when they bloom. The spring blossoms often have striking venation, and are held on stalks 1’ – 2’ high. Foliage clumps generally reach about a foot tall and spread to form extensive colonies of evergreen, strap like leaves. Plant in full sun in cooler areas, but provide some shade in hotter zones. Plants require little water once established, and are perhaps a little more drought and heat tolerant than the straight species. Deer and gopher resistant.
More information »	Iris fernaldii (Fernald's iris) Rarely offered in nurseries, the creamy-white to soft, buttery-yellow flowers of Iris fernaldii brighten up any dry shade to part-sun, inland garden in April. The flowers rise a foot above the evergreen, narrow, strap-like, deep-green foliage. This patch-forming Iris can be found in the more inland canyons of Northwestern California, from the Santa Cruz mountains, throughout inland Sonoma County, to Lake, Colusa, and Glenn counties. Fernald’s iris is well adapted to both extreme heat and cold, but can also perform well in full sun on the coast. Native bees and butterflies are attracted to the cheery flowers of this iris. This species prefers decent drainage and is drought tolerant and deer resistant once established.
More information »	Iris innominata (Del Norte County iris) A choice iris with slender, glossy, dark-green leaves and dainty flowers in late spring. Flower color can be from brilliant yellows to shades of purple. Native to the Siskiyou Mountains in Del Norte County, California, into southern Oregon where it forms low, dense, evergreen clumps in openings of woodlands or coniferous forests. This species does better in hot, inland areas than the Douglas iris. Requires good drainage and some summer water. This Del Norte County iris has been used in hybridization programs to produce the popular Pacific Coast Hybrid Iris. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris longipetala (iris) Restricted to swales and moist areas in coastal grasslands from San Francisco to Monterey, this uncommon native is well worth growing. Bluish-green evergreen blades form erect clumps one foot to 20 inches tall. Early spring brings beautiful lavender-blue flowers with dark purple venation. Full sun in coastal areas, a little shade inland with regular water through the bloom period. Can go dryer once flowering is finished. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris macrosiphon (long tube iris) A widespread and variable species growing throughout Northern California’s coast ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills. Our crop is grown from seed collected in western Sonoma County which has lovely lavender-blue blossoms April through May. Forms small clumps of narrow and slightly arching blades under 18 inches tall. Often found on wooded slopes, in openings or edges of forests where it will form small patches. Prefers good drainage, drought tolerant, or just a little summer moisture. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris macrosiphon 'Mount Madonna' (long tube Iris) A charming little Iris discovered by Wintergreen Nursery on Mt. Madonna on our central coast. In spring, lavender flowers with deep purple veination and a splash of yellow sit atop dense, fan-like clusters of narrow, blue-green leaves. Reaches a height of about 10 inches and spreads slowly to form little clumps. Provide bright, filtered shade and low to no water once established. Will tolerate full sun in cooler areas. An excellent Iris for a rock garden which attracts bees and butterflies. Deer resistant.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Canyon Sunshine' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) One of a diverse group of hybrid native irises, this butter-yellow selection with a lemony center is the result of a cross with Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow.' The evergreen foliage grows about 1 - 2 feet tall and spreads by rhizomes to form clumps up to 3 feet wide. Tolerates full sun on the coast but does best with afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking nice in summer. A good plant for the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Dark Delight' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Madonna Three' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Purple & White' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A Pacific Coast hybrid iris with thick purple veins and a splash of yellow at the center of white flowers. The evergreen foliage gets 12-18 inches tall and spreads by rhizomes to form clumps up to 3 feet wide. Does well in full sun in cooler, coastal areas, but needs afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking good in summer. A suitable plant for the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Sebastopol' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid 'Violeta' (Pacific Coast hybrid iris) A diverse group bred from the native irises with wonderful coloration, patterning, flower form variation....ranging from soft pastels to mahogany, maroon and midnight purple. Evergreen foliage, about 1 to 2 ft. high. Can eventually form sizable clumps. Full sun to light shade. Often do well as an understory for oaks that needs no summer water. Drought tolerant, moderate to little water when established. Deer don’t seem to eat flowers or foliage.
More information »	Iris Pacific Coast hybrid - lavender (lavender Pacific Coast hybrid iris ) A native iris hybrid thought to be a cross with Iris douglasiana. Flowers are a deep lavender in color, with purple-veined petals and yellow throats. Evergreen foliage is 12-18 inches tall and spreads to form 2-3 foot-wide clumps. Tolerates full sun on the coast but does best with afternoon shade inland. Occasional water keeps it looking good in summer. Like other Pacific Coast iris hybrids, it can be planted in the understory of oaks, where it will require little irrigation once established. Drought tolerant and deer resistant.
More information »	Isomeris (Cleomella) arborea (bladderpod) This distinctive small shrub from Southern California features clusters of golden-yellow flowers with long stamens, giving them a delicate, airy quality. The flowers are followed by papery, lantern-like seed pods which can become almost translucent with age. While this species blooms strongest in the spring, flowers can be seen year-round. Bladderpod has a loose, rounded habit, reaching 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide. If your plant becomes too lanky, simply cut it to the ground to rejuvenate it. Plant in full sun with good drainage and provide infrequent to zero irrigation once established. A great nectar source for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Deer resistant. Previously known as: Peritoma arborea