Touted as the easiest to grow and hardiest of the native Iris, this versatile west coast denizen rallies copious good-sized blooms perched on slim wand-like stems and slender, low-growing grass-like greenery. Adored by bees, butterflies and gardeners, the showy flowers are commonly etched with dark violet veins and range in color from pastel lavender to vivid purple and soft blue-violet. Tenax is Latin for “tenacious” and refers to the strong fibrous foliage, whose brawn endures deer, rabbits and dry spells, and once provided a source for Native Americans’ ropes and cords. Tough-Leaf Iris’ natty low evergreen mound can be cozied amid rocks, along a pathway or a perennial border’s edge, where it begs good drainage, naps during the summer and handles various soil types. 

Blooms April–mid-June

Size: 14" high x 12" – 2' 0" wide.

Zone 6b.