I collect cultivars of our native crested iris, Iris cristata. One of my favorite of two large-flowered selections is 'Eco Orchid Giant' selected and named by the late Don Jacobs, I believe a wild selection from Georgia. Flowers are very large and hold themselves up better than 'Powder Blue Giant'. Extremely hardy, I'm always amazed that the rhizomes romp around above the soil surface and root where they touch down. Several views of plants in flower from early to mid may,
Iris cristata 'Eco Orchid Giant'
Iris cristata 'Eco Orchid Giant' with many Epimedium species/cultivars in background.
Close-up view
Iris cristata 'Eco Orchid Giant', surface rhizomes defy subzero weather, totally unfazed even without snow cover. Photo taken January 11, 2017.
Iris cristata 'Eco Orchid Giant', spring emergence in mid April 2017, surface rhizomes sprouting
To learn more about Iris cristata cultivars, follow this link:
The thread "Iris cristata (crested iris) cultivars" in
Shade Gardening forum
