Iris hartwegii

Identification

Description

The Sierra Iris is a creamy, butter- yellow color with darker yellow along the center of the petals and on the inner portion of the petals. Flowers can sometimes be purple! It spreads slowly through underground rhizomes forming an attractive green clump of shiny green leaves. The Sierra Iris is native to the Sierra Nevada range, from 2000-6000 foot. It can be found growing in heavy moist shade, in thick duff under firs and pines, and in sunny, moist meadow areas. Sierra Iris goes deciduous during the winter. Sierra Iris grows best in higher elevation gardens, where it can go dormant in the colder winters and grow through cooler summers.