Rocky Mountain Iris Seeds, Wild Blue Iris, US Native, Iris Missouriensis, IR0225

There is a lot of confusion about this species, because of the botanical name Iris "Missouriensis." Most would initially assume (including myself,) that this species is native to Missouri. It is in fact, not. It's name was actually derived from it's discovery along the upper banks of the Missouri river, which runs through seven states. Early botanists would often name species based on a broader region of where they were found. It's common name is Rocky Mountain Iris, Wild Blue Iris, Missouri Flag Iris (even more confusion) and Western Blue Flag. This is a species native to the western US and parts of the upper Midwest. Specifically, the following states:

Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

It is native to my beloved Rocky Mountain National Park. The species likes moist conditions and is found in meadows and along streambanks, but can tolerate periodic drought, once established and can adapt to drier environments.

The leaves are long and narrow and it produces showy blue to purple flowers

Like most cooler climate perennials, it requires a period of cold to break dormancy. This can be achieved by sowing the seeds outdoors in fall/winter or simulating these conditions in your refrigerator by folding the seeds into a moist paper towel and sealing it in a ziploc bag and placing it in your refrigerator for 60-90 days, then remove and sow when temps are between 65 and 75 degrees.

Grows from 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide

Perennial zones 3-9

This is for 25 Seeds

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