Oregon Iris (Iris tenax)
The beautiful blue Oregon iris (Iris tenax) is well-represented in the Native Plant Garden at Hendricks Park. You will also see hybrid native irises there – some in startling shades a long way from blue. The many iris species in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California can inter-breed spontaneously where their ranges overlap, but the Pacific Coast Hybrids you see at Hendricks Park (like the ones pictured below) are mostly man-made. All of them, species and hybrids, make outstanding, carefree garden plants.
Contributed by Rachel Foster
