Iris 'Chimes' Landscape, Seattle

Emulate the woodlands or meadows of Pacific Coast iris’s natural habitat for a loose and natural landscape.

Irises can be formal or informal depending on the application. Japanese iris or wild iris are both thin stemmed and work well in a country garden for a less structured look. This photo shows off the variety 'Chimes' from the Pacific Coast Iris Collection.

Pacific Coast Iris (Iris spp.)Native to the west coast of North America from the Pacific Northwest down to Southern CaliforniaDelicate-looking blossoms in candy-box colors on tough, drought-tolerant plants. Pacific coast irises (also known as PCIs) are an adaptable group of clumping iris. They can range from 6 to 18 inches in height with colors in all shades of white, pink, purple, maroon, blue, peach and yellow, many with striking markings on the petals. Sometimes they interbreed in the wild; sometimes they are bred intentionally, but they are invariably exquisite garden plants, tolerating drought and thriving in partial to full sun, with excellent drainage. Another bonus for the summer-dry west coast: No summer water is required once it’s established.See how to grow Pacific Coast iris

Pacific Coast irisLouisiana iris. Sometimes called swamp iris, Louisiana iris does well in more humid conditions. It does best in zones 3 to 9 and can be happy in climates as diverse as those of southern South Dakota, Maine, Hawaii and Florida. Louisiana irises reach 2 to 5 feet tall. The flowers come in almost as large a color selection as bearded irises, with blooms appearing in May and June.Plant in August and September. Look for a location in full sun with rich, well-watered, neutral to acidic soil. Like Japanese irises, they can handle growing in water. If your summer afternoons are hot, provide light or filtered shade. Soak the rhizomes and plant them about 1 inch deep and 12 to 18 inches apart. Provide regular water and add mulch in late fall if the ground freezes in winter. Pacific Coast iris. Pacific Coast irises are perfect additions to woodland and rock gardens. These West Coast natives and their growing number of hybrids are noted for their slender foliage and flower stems reaching 8 to 24 inches tall, as well as their flowering period, which can last from January to June. They do best in zones 7 to 10. These irises need full sun and very well-draining soil; you may need to grow them in raised beds if you have clay soil. You can plant from containers at any time, preferably in spring or fall, but October is the prime time for planting rhizomes; plant about 1 to 2 inches deep and a foot apart. Provide moderate water while they’re growing and none in the summer. Divide when new roots are forming, which will be anytime from early fall to midwinter; you’ll need to scrape away the soil to check on the roots.

Stacking stones. Humans have built piles of rocks and stones for eons; dry stone walls date back to Neolithic times. Rock walls have survived in many areas, including England, Ireland, Scandinavia and South America. The Peruvian Inca city of Machu Picchu is made entirely of dry stone construction.“Currently in Australia one of the trends is … stone used in walling and paving rather than as a more sculptural element,” Mendel says. Local stones and no adhesive chemicals make dry stone walls an eco-friendly addition to a garden.