Gardening with Pacifica Iris

The Pacific Coast Iris are beardless irises in the Series Californicae, and are often referred to as Pacificas, Pacific Coast Native Iris (PCNs or PCNIs), Pacific Coast Iris (PCIs), or Pacific Coast Hybrids (PCHs). SPCNI prefers the terms ‘Pacificas’ or ‘PCI’, and uses these terms to refer to this group. PCIs are generally small, compact plants with slender, wiry rhizomes, and narrow grass-like leaves. Most PCIs are evergreen, and can range from 6 to 36 inches high.

In the garden, PCIs develop most easily under conditions similar to those of their natural habitats. Wild PCIs inhabit the western coast of North America, from the San Bernardino Mountains near Los Angeles north to southwest Washington, and from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California and the Cascades in Oregon and southern Washington. Species in the Series Californicae interbreed easily, and natural hybrids are common in the wild.

Some species flourish in full sun near the coast, but many species live in lightly wooded areas and on sloping ground that is gritty, well drained, neutral to slightly acidic, and considerably humusy. Moisture comes mainly during the winter months as either rain or snow, depending on the elevation. Summers are normally long and dry, but may receive moisture from summer rain, thundershowers or as drip from dew.

Since some of the PCI species tend to be short lived in the garden, modern hybrids have been developed to grow more readily in garden settings.

Modern PCI hybrids were begun by crossing these native species. Part artist, part craftsman, hybridizers selected, and continue to select, for desirable traits like vigor, heat and cold tolerance, flower size, shape, and color, attractive foliage, and bloom time to meet garden needs.

Please check related pages for more information on growing tips, starting from seeds, and hybridizing.