Iris hookeri – Beachhead Iris – 1.25-Quart

In northern areas of North America, from Alaska in the West to Newfoundland in the East, grows a diminutive species of iris, especially along ocean and river beachheads. The species is a bit to quite a bit taller in Alaska where it’s labeled Iris setosa by botanists. In the East the species occurs along the coast down into Maine and along the St. Lawrence River west into Quebec. It’s sometimes labeled I. setosa ssp. canadensis or even I. canadensis, but I. hookeri is now generally considered the acceptable name.  Unlike  our local native Blue Flag (I. versicolor), this species is more accepting of general garden conditions – you don’t need a bog to grow it – it’s great used as an edger along paths or in the front of flower borders.