I may be in the wrong place, but does anyone have experience growing the Louisiana type Iris? ...............Maryl

Maryl ~ to the Iris Forum!

I do not grow them, but others here do, especially in the South where they flourish!

Maybe Leslie can help you out. @Lestv

Thank you Evelyn. I hope someone has some experience they can share about how the soil has to be in order for them to grow...They may not be suited to my higher ph soil......Maryl

Maryl:

Here is a general guide that should help you out. http://zydecoirises.com/Cultur...

Basically LA's are planted the opposite of most bearded iris. They like lots of organic matter, manure and acidic soil. You bury the rhizomes with a couple of inches of soil, cover the bed with mulch. Water often, especially when it is hot. Fertilize at least 3 times a year.

One thing to remember, that I don't think is covered in the link above, is that LA's go dormant right after bloom and new growth starts in early fall. So if the foliage turns brown in the summer or is looking ratty and you want to cut it back, do so in the summer. Once new growth starts in the fall it continues over the winter so don't cut them back in the winter. (This growth cycle doesn't apply the same to northern growers).

As long as they have sun, water and food they are easy growers. Good luck!

Thank you for the link and the advice Leslie. It's just what I needed to know. The dormant part you mentioned is especially helpful. I'll need to ponder it some more..................Maryl

Maryl, I an in zone 7a, verging very closely on 6b, and my Red Velvet Elvis LA iris does great. I think moisture is more important to them than temperature. I have it planted in an area where the neighbor's sump pump annoyingly drains onto my property. But Elvis loves it and over years has formed a large, vividly blooming clump at least three feet wide. LAs can survive very much further north than this if given the moisture they like. I have Dorthea Kay Williamson, too, and it grows like a weed.