Monday, May 4, 2015

A Trio of PCI's (and two extra)

PCI's...what are those, you may ask? They are Pacific Coast Iris...although mine aren't the species, but rather hybrids of our native Iris. Every year seems to bring a few new introductions, and while I'd love to have them all, I have just a few in my garden (space is limited). Still, they are tough and beautiful, increasing in size fairly reliable each year.

The ones I have that are currently blooming are:

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'Little Survivor'...this is my favorite at the moment...it's steadily getting bigger and bigger...and those SUMPTUOUS, velvety purple blooms are perfection, IMHO.

PCI
'Ami Royale'...this one was a gift from good friend and fellow plant lover, Riz Reyes. I had forgotten about it as it's in a pot with a rapidly-expanding Molinia 'Cordoba' that is threatening to totally overwhelm it. Still...it's increased in size over the past few years and blooms beautifully. I'm thinking of moving it to a spot where it will have a little more breathing room.

pci2
Last, but not least, an unnamed hybrid, again from Riz, which he gifted to a few of us plant nerds several weeks ago...isn't it fabulous!

Alison PCI Faded
I have a few more PCI's in the wings that are about to bloom...including a seed-grown hybrid from friend and fellow blogger, Alison, which, if memory serves, is a muted buttercream color which fades to off-white (above) AND 'Sea Admiral' (below), which doesn't seem to be blooming this year, sadly.
Sea Admiral

Do you grow any of the PCI hybrids (or even the species)? Which do you recommend?

47 comments:

  1. They're beautiful, Scott! I don't have any in my garden so can't help you with recommendations. The last one you showed is fabulous but then I'm a sucker for purple and white iris.

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  2. I'm proud that I guilted you into posting! I've heard that PCI's are difficult to move. Is that the case? Even if they are, I'll still get some!

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  3. I love your Iris posts Scott -- let's see some wide shots again!

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  4. They're one of my favorite plants too! I'm so pleased the one I gave you is thriving and blooming. That last one, the purple with a white edge, is yummy. Also so glad to see a post from you.

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  5. All nice but the unnamed one is my favourite. And as usual, it has to be the unnamed one!

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  6. The most recent gift from Riz is the only one I've got, for some reason I've shied away from them thinking they're too demanding of the perfect conditions to be happy in my garden. If this one thrives then look out! I might be an addict, I'll start my acquisitions with 'Little Survivor' cuz it's gorgeous and I like the name.

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  7. I got my first start from the swap and I'm SUPER excited about it. Yours are gorgeous.

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  8. I always enjoy your posts - love seeing your pictures. Thanks for posting!

    These PC iris are very enticing - pretty sure they wouldn't like my zone 6 garden - but - very nice to see them. A cross between bearded and Siberian with a little extra flair and intrigue tossed in?

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  9. I'm glad to see you surface again. I love PCIs but they haven't been reliable for me in my current garden. Your post got me to take another look at their requirements - I think I'll try moving them to the front garden where the soil is better to see if that makes a difference.

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  10. All of the blossoms are fabulous!

    xoxoxo ♡

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  11. I have only one - Banbury Beauty. She's gorgeous though! Happy spring Scott.

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  12. I just noticed this morning that the one I got from Alison is blooming. Must move it to a spot where it will get the attention it deserves. Good for Amy, if she's the one who nudged you back into the blogosphere.

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  13. You have some beauties! That unnamed hybrid from Riz is my first PCI hybrid. I have lots of Iris tenax growing wild. I've been admiring the PCI's at Cistus. I should take pictures of my favorites.

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  14. I think that one from Riz is a good place to start, Evan...I think it's going to be a winner...and I really enjoyed your post today on the Iris tenax...I should really add some of those to my own garden :-)

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  15. I love those seed-grown plants of Alison's, Ricki...it's fun since you never know what you're going to get!

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  16. Oh Jen....that is GORGEOUS...I may have to find that one!

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  17. Don't you just love the, Dianne :-)

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  18. Hahaha...yes...it's been a while, hasn't it...it's good to be back...hopefully I don't lapse for such a long time again! I seem to have good luck with them when I ignore them...although I've had one or two just die while others do well...who knows why!

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  19. They are one of those rare plants that really only does well in our PNW conditions, Cecilia...especially our hot, dry summers...luckily there are so many Iris you can still grow!

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  20. I think you'll love them (did you get them from Alison)? They are like these fleeting little jewels in the garden...so lovely.

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  21. I think 'Little Survivor' could find a happy home in your garden, Loree...they don't like ANY summer water. Mine are all in the parking strips and I just ignore them all year.

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  22. Of course...and I agree...it's a beauty!

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  23. The one you gave me is the happiest of all...and in a large container with a huge grass, to boot...love it!

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  24. Hahaha...I think maybe I'll post some wide shots in the next day or two :-)

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  25. Hahahaha...guilt is powerful, isn't it ;-) I think they are just harder than regular Iris...which you can dig up, forget to replant and they'll still bloom, bare roots and all!

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  26. You know me, Peter...if it's Purple, I must have it!

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  27. Yes, from Alison. I don't know if she said which variety that she dug, but I like the idea of being surprised. :)

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  28. I very much like your iris and beautiful images. I do wish I did not have to sign up though FB though. It asks for personal info.

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  29. You've been gone too long. I'm glad to see your beautiful pictures again.
    I had to write down some of these names... add to the list of must haves in my garden.

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  30. Scott - so glad to see you have posted these beautiful photos - we have missed your artistic images.

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  31. No, I don't have any PCIs...only tall bearded German Irises. These are beauties. Especially that first one, with the gold blooms in the background. Welcome back to posting--we missed you!

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  32. Scott, I have Caesar's Brother and several other later varieties, none blooming yet. I do appreciate the as they pop up between other plantings during the summer.
    Eileen

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  33. The first one is my ideal for an iris. PURPLE. But all of them are beautiful!

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  34. Jenni @ RainyDayGardenerMay 8, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Beautiful pics Scott. Your PCI's are growing so well and compliment your other plantings so nicely.

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  35. These are gorgeous! I have a deep red iris named Red Velvet Elvis that I bought purely for its name. Daily Elvis sightings can never be a bad thing.

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  36. Absolutely stunning irises....I marvel at these irises and how lucky you are to have them!

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  37. That's so strange, Donna...it should let you sign in with your google account...odd...

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  38. It's good to be back, Chava...although I'm a bit out of practice!

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  39. I'll try to be better about posting, more, David :-)

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  40. Thanks! It's been a while, I know...hopefully I'm back on the horse again :-)

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  41. I love that one, Gatsby...such a rich, dark purple!

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  42. Hahahaha...purple is the key for me as well!

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  43. I am a sucker for them, Jenni :-)

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  44. Hahahahaha...too funny, Tammy!

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  45. They are pretty fabulous, Donna ;-)

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  46. Me either. I tried six times before it took the FB info and tried Google first. I hope it is good to go now.

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  47. Mobile App DevelopersJune 11, 2015 at 1:04 AM

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