Iris PCH 'Rubies' (Pacific Coast Hybrid Iris) - This hybrid has dark red flowers that bloom in the spring. The clump of tough evergreen foliage grows 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads to 2 to 3 feet wide.
As with other Pacific Coast Hybrid Iris it is best to plant this iris 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 applications of gypsum can be beneficial.
The Pacific Coast Hybrid Iris are a diverse group of plant derived from various California and Oregon native species, in particular Iris douglasiana, Iris innominata, and Iris munzii. They are noted for their attractive clumps of foliage that usually are under a foot tall with leaves that are usually dark green and shiny and large showy flowers ranging in color from white, yellow, red and blue with nearly all shades between that are held one to two per flowering stem in spring. We have grown many varieties over the years and sometimes offer them in blocks of mixed colors. For more information see the Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris. We first purchased our stock on this cultivar from Cornflower Nursery and grew and sold it from 2000 until 2002.
The information about Iris PCH 'Rubies' 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. |