Iris unguicularis 
“Winter Iris”

photo (left):petrichor (right): Monica Meeneghan

It is always a surprise to see this Iris come into bloom in the Fall, when very little else brings color to a dry garden. The delicate blue flowers look like the CA native Iris douglasii but appear strangely low to the ground  as they are carried on 6” flower tubes & do not have real stems. They still make lovely miniature cut flowers & its scent is more noticeable indoors. With an origin in lightly shaded & rocky areas in the Mediterranean, it grows without additional water in a CA shade garden. In colder areas, grow in sun against a south facing wall. The 12-18" leaves stay evergreen without water, but you can cut them back in Summer to make the blooms more visible. Try placing  it where you can look down on it from a higher window. Protect against slug damage, by spreading a little Sluggo around the plants in the Fall.

Anni J.
Propagator