Oregon Iris in my Forest

A Pop of Purple in my Forest

I have yet to explore all the nooks and crannies of my new 6-acre forest farm retreat, but as I walked my very first visitors down an old path through my woods, we discovered all sorts of inhabitants, including a few lovely clumps of Oregon iris in bloom. Yes, I squealed! Iris tenax, also commonly called toughleaf iris, is a small yet resilient Oregon native plant that produces stunning purple flowers with white and yellow accents. I found these growing in a small sunnier spot in the woods where there was just enough open canopy to let some sunshine in. This tells me I’ll be able to establish more here, as well as other part sun woodland bloomers.

Oregon iris is a deciduous rhizomatous herbaceous iris that typically grows in forest openings or along roadsides with partial sun. I would imagine here in Oregon full sun is just fine too. The foliage is narrow and appears more like a bunch grass from a distance than it does an iris, so you might miss it if it’s growing amongst other grasses.

Blooms of I. tenax usually send up blooms in late-spring and summer (I spotted my bloomers mid-May here in Oregon City). Plants grow to about 20-inches tall and clumps may reach 24” wide, but are slow growing and spreading.

You’ll usually grows in forest openings or roadsides, where they get enough sun to bloom. Supposedly, this species isn’t supposed to tolerate drought or clay soils all that well, but I’d say the soil mine are growing in have a decent amount of clay. Plants do best in soils that don’t sit wet (decent drainage), and can tolerate moisture fluctuations.

I have plenty of deer that come through my property but they clearly aren’t touching the iris. Iris in general aren’t a favorite of deer so I’ll definitely be planting more. Another bonus is that Oregon iris does support wildlife such as hummingbirds and attracts beneficial insects.

I have some areas that I’ll also be establishing as more natural meadows for natives and bulbs, so I’m sure I’ll find a way to tuck more Oregon iris into those spots. Perhaps if you come to a Guided Forest Therapy walk at my place in the future, you'll be treated to these beauties!