Iris chrysophylla

Habit: very low growing delicate iris with slender, pale green, basal leaves having a pink to reddish base and spreading through compact rhizomes. The inflorescence holds 1-2 showy flowers trumping the foliage with creamy white downward arching sepals which have prominent dark purple to blue veins and a vivid splash of yellow in the center. The petals are upright, shorter and narrower than the sepals. Fruit is a capsule, sharply beaked. Blooms from April through June.

Ecology: Iris chrysophylla is native to Oregon and Northern California, found growing west of the Cascades in meadows, oak savanna and open coniferous forests at low elevations from 2000-3300 ft (600-1000 m).

Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade, in moist to semi dry, well-drained soil.