Iris Information

New Open Garden Schedule - 2024

Cascadia Iris Gardens will now be open to the public Friday through Sunday beginning May 17th through the end of July. Come visit us to see what's blooming in our display and production beds. You can experience the variety and sequence of iris bloom throughout the season. Also note that we have large collections of peonies, lilacs, spring ephemerals and other interesting perennials and trees. We will be open from 10:00am until 4:00pm. 

What to see in April 
Our first Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris (MDB) will open very near April 1st, as will several of our small woodland iris species, trilliums and erythroniums. Mid-month will see the Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris begin to bloom. Aril and Arilbred iris will join in. The month will end with the Median Iris just showing first blossoms. Our 80 or so varieties of lilacs will begin blooming late in the month and are a sight and smell to behold.

What to see in May
May is all about the Bearded Iris. The month starts with the Dwarf Bearded and ends at peak bloom for the glorious Tall Bearded iris. Toward the end of the month we will see the Siberian iris season begin. And all month different Species Iris, along with many other perennials and ephemerals will be on display. Over 100 varieties of peonies will begin blooming mid-month and are worth a visit by themselves!

What to see in June 
June is peak month at CIG. Our Tall Bearded and Siberian Iris will still be in bloom. The Sino-Siberians, Spurias and early Japanese will also be showing off. Peonies, perennials... the list is seemingly endless. The month will end with a few of our reblooming iris starting to do their thing.

What to see in July - July is all about the Japanese Iris. We have the largest collection in the USA along with Patrick's Seedlings. You might even find the odd Bearded or Siberian irises reblooming.

We truly hope you can join us. Our new greenhouse is full of potted iris, peonies, lilacs and other choice perennials. As we progress through the season, new plants will be added as we work our way through iris shipments, transplanting and preparing for 2023 plant sales.

Please be safe, sensible, and considerate of others.

Patrick & Margaret

Iris 101 Series of Classes - 2022

Iris 101 - The World of Irises

An introduction to the wonderful variety in the world of irises
Class limited to 10 people

Iris 101 - Culture

How to Dig, Divide and Replant Bearded and Beardless Iris
Classes limited to 10 people

August 26th, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Learn when and how to properly care for your bearded and beardless irises. The classes will have lecture time and "hands on" opportunities. Class size will be limited. Please register early to ensure you are not left out. Classes will be held Rain or Shine.

Click here to download the Iris 101 - Culture reservation form. Print it out, fill in the bottom portion and return it to us with your payment to reserve your spot.

Iris 101 - Hybridizing

Everything you need to know about hybridizing irises.
Class limited to 5 people

This is a 2 session class.

Selecting and Hybridizing the Irises - June 10th, 8:00am - 11:00am
Harvesting and Planting Your Seeds - September 17th, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn the ins, outs and secrets of hybridizing irises. We will cover a bit about genetics, some hybridizing strategies, and the physical steps needed to successfully hybridize an iris.

Click here to download the Iris 101 - Hybridizing reservation form. Print it out, fill in the bottom portion and return it to us with your payment to reserve your spot.

 Growing Instructions

We have pulled together growing instructions for many of the irises we grow. Please select from the list below. Most are specific to our Puget Sound area of Washington State. For specific directions local to your area, or if you do not find what you are looking for, feel free to email Patrick. He is happy to help you grow these successfully.

Growing Bearded Iris

Growing Japanese Iris

Growing Siberian Iris

Growing Sino-Siberian Iris

Growing Spuria Iris

Patrick's Upcoming Speaking Engagements and Events

Patrick is well known for giving lively presentations full of beautiful pictures, important information, and a wry sense of humor. We are happy to visit your club in person. Or, we are very Zoom proficient having given many talks on a range of subjects that have been attended around the world. Or visit us at one of the below upcoming events. 

Oregon Trail Iris Society
Salem, OR
February 15, 2022
The Siberian Iris

Hilltoppers Garden Club
Kenmore WA
April 7, 2022
Topic: TBD

Elmohr Iris Society
Colorado Springs, CO
March 18 & 19, 2022
2 programs, both Judges Training seminars
The Siberian Iris
The Japanese iris

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden Spring Sale
Federal Way, WA
April 23 & 24, 2022
Potted iris, peonies, lilacs and other choice perennials for sale.

Enumclaw Garden Club
June 23, 2022
Enumclaw, WA
Irises and Peonies

National Siberian/Species Iris Convention
May 27-29, 2022 
Lynnwood, WA
Garden Tours include Cascadia Iris Gardens, Bellevue Botanical Gardens and Highline Botanical Gardens.
Click HERE for details.

Iris - A Flower For All Seasons!

Click on this link to see a chart that shows how, by growing different types of iris, you can have irises blooming in your garden nearly year 'round.
Please note that your results may vary, depending on your local climate, soil type, etc.

For more information, you can join one of these organizations:

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook to see beautiful pictures of our garden and plants as the season progresses. Upcoming events will be advertised and the occasional tidbit of information will be disseminated.