Green Neighbors Program

The Clark County Green Neighbors Program is coordinated by Clark County Public Health’s Solid Waste and Environmental Outreach to assist citizens with developing more sustainable lifestyles and building a strong environmental community in Clark County. Solid waste regional planning and programs are a cooperative effort of Battle Ground, Camas, Clark County, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt.

Clark County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on this website. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Clark County, nor any agency, officer, or employee of Clark County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.

In offering information on the web, Clark County seeks to balance our requirement for public access with the privacy needs of individual citizens. Information that appears on the Clark County website is part of the public record. By law, it is available for public access, whether by telephone request, visiting county offices, or through other means.

clark county logo

Contact Details

Call us
(360) 397-2121 x4352
Email
info@clarkgreenneighbors.org

Pacific Coast Iris

  • Scientific Name: Iris tenax
  • Garden: Natives Garden, Xeriscaping Garden
  • Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
  • Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
  • Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Sun or Part Shade
  • Moisture Requirements: Moist, Well-Drained

Plant Information

Oregon iris or Tough leaved iris is the most northerly species of Pacifica Iris- extending its native zone as far as SW Washington. It's common throughout the western part of our state where it decorates grassy hillsides in full sun to quite a bit of shade with jolly purple flowers April-June. This Iris comes in quite a few colors. Pink, blue, white, golden yellow, red- all hues that have been recorded for this species. Forms grassy clumps in fan shaped displays to about 10″ tall. A large clump can be 30″ across and filled with nearly 100 flowers- these rise on cantilevered stems to 14″ tall. Not very tolerant of disturbance. They HATE division. These plants feature extra vigor and usually bloom within 3 years. Best in light shade, dappled shade on slopes. Average, clay soil is what it wants, and you can increase vigor by double digging the hole very wide to incorporate oxygen in the soil and water lightly and consistently through the first summer. Then none to light in subsequent years. An admirable competitor with introduced invasives and as per all Iris it is supremely deer and even rabbit resistant. Winter deciduous- also, it may go drought deciduous in extremely dry summers. Mixes well with native annuals. Established clumps live for decades. Oregon native plant. Plant type: Herbaceous perennial | Sun exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade Biome: Deer Resistance, Dry Shade, Low Water/No Water, Oregon Coast, Western Native, Willamette Valley Natives Foliage color: Light Green | Foliage season: Winter Deciduous

Data Source

www.xeraplants.com

Plant Photos

Photo Credit

IRTE Full Plant CM, IRTE Flower CM (©2021 Cheri Moland), IRTE Leaf CM (©2020 Cheri Moland)

Interactive Garden Maps

About the Master Gardeners Natural Gardens
The demonstration gardens are meant to show different ways to practice earth-friendly techniques at home. There are eight beautiful backyard example gardens that fit any yard size or preference.
Learn more