Plant in a light acidic soil in full sun (coastal only), light shade, morning or late afternoon shade and water sparingly in coastal areas and more regularly inland. Plants are hardy to 15-20 degrees F or slightly lower for short duration. Transplanting or dividing and replanting should be done in December. In heavy alkaline conditions that are often found in southern California soils the addition of peat moss or soil sulfur is recommended, and with very heavy soils gypsum is added. It is noted for its vigor and bright glossy green foliage.

Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow' was introduced into the nursery trade in 1975 by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Though often listed as a Pacific Coast Hybrid Iris, which are hybrids of several species, 'Canyon Snow' was selected from a batch of seedlings grown from Iris douglasiana 'Alba' seed by the late Dara Emery (1922-1992) and as such should be listed as a cultivar of this species. Dara was a legendary horticulturist, plant breeder and author who had a 35-year tenure as "The Horticulturist" at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. In 1979 Dara received the prestigious Mitchell Award from the American Iris Society for this beautiful hybrid Iris. More information on this plant can be found on the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Iris PCH 'Canyon Snow' Plant Introduction Page.

We have grown this great iris since 1985 and consider it the best native iris cultivar in the nursery trade. We received a comment about this plant from a gardener in Seattle Washington who had grown it for over seven years in a garden there and noted that it "blooms reliably every year and increased to nearly a ground cover. Never any fungal problems or winter burnt out like with other PCH iris I have tried. It's a winner!!" 

The information about Iris douglasiana 'Canyon Snow' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.