Iris Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' (CH)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' is a beautiful variety of iris that features striking flowers and elegant foliage. The flowers on this plant are the most notable feature, with an exquisite color palette that typically includes shades of blue, purple, or lavender. Occasionally, the blooms might exhibit white or yellow highlights, creating a stunning contrast that draws the eye. The petals of the flowers are velvety and may have a ruffled or frilled edge, adding to their ornate appearance. Each flower is composed of upright standards—the petals that stand upright—and falls, which are the petals that drape downward. Often, the falls have a distinct beard or a fuzzy line at the base that can be in a contrasting hue, such as orange or yellow, creating a focal point that punctuates the flower's overall beauty. The foliage of the Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' consists of long, narrow leaves that emerge from the base of the plant. These leaves are sword-shaped and have a bright green color that complements the stunning blooms. The leaves are typically stiff and upright, creating a fan-like form that adds an architectural element to the plant's overall shape. Together, the blooms and foliage of the Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' create a sophisticated and eye-catching display. This plant is often admired for its exquisite flowers and the graceful presence it brings to gardens and landscapes.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Pajaro Dunes Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' (CH)
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' is a cultivar of bearded iris. Bearded iris plants are considered mildly toxic to humans. Though not commonly ingested, if parts of the plant are eaten, they can cause stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The rhizomes (rootstalks) are the most likely part to cause these symptoms if ingested. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. It is advisable to keep this plant out of the reach of children who may accidentally ingest parts of it.
- To pets
  The Iris 'Pajaro Dunes', a type of bearded iris, is toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Ingesting this plant can lead to symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. The most toxic part is the rhizome; however, all parts of the plant can be potentially harmful if consumed in large enough quantities. It is important for pet owners to prevent their animals from ingesting this plant to avoid these toxic effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Cultivar

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' is valued for its striking flowers and foliage, enhancing the beauty of gardens.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of withstanding colder temperatures, which is beneficial for gardens in cooler climates.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to many pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Soil Adaptable: Can flourish in a variety of soil types, as long as they are well-draining.
- Attracts Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, supporting biodiversity.
- Erosion Control: Its root system can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- Long Bloom Period: Offers a long flowering season, providing color for an extended period in the garden.
- Versatile Landscaping: Suitable for a range of landscaping uses such as borders, water features, and rock gardens.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Artistic Ink Production: The juice from the Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' petals can be used to create natural inks for art projects, with the potential for unique hues based on the flower's coloration.
- Photography: Due to its striking appearance, Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' can be used as a photogenic subject for both professional and amateur photographers, particularly in garden and nature photography.
- Floristry: Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' is an exquisite choice for floral arrangements and bouquets, often used by florists for its elegant form and color.
- Educational Resource: This plant can serve as an example in horticultural studies, illustrating hybridization techniques and plant genetics.
- Perfumery: The subtle fragrance of Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' can be extracted and used in the creation of perfumes and scented products.
- Culinary Garnish: With its unique coloring, Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' petals can be used as an eye-catching, edible garnish on gourmet dishes, provided they are free of pesticides and safe for consumption.
- Dye for Fabrics: The pigments from Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' can be used to dye fabrics, offering a natural alternative to chemical dyes.
- Crafting: Dried petals and parts of the Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' can be used in crafting activities, like making bookmarks, greeting cards, or potpourri.
- Cultural and Religious Symbolism: The Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' may hold cultural or religious significance in certain practices, possibly used in events and ceremonies.
- Garden Design: Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' can be used in landscape design to create color contrasts, themed gardens, or as a striking focal point in beds and borders.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Iris is not commonly referenced in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope: The iris often signifies hope, representing expectations for positive outcomes and good things to come.
- Wisdom: With its regal appearance, the iris is associated with wisdom and valued for its association with knowledge and good judgement.
- Trust: The enchanting nature of the iris can symbolize trust, encouraging faith in relationships and friendships.
- Royalty: Historically linked to kings and royal symbols, the iris can convey majesty, sovereignty, and an elevated status.
- Purity: The clean, crisp lines of the iris reflect purity of heart and spirit, often used in religious or spiritual contexts.
- Courage: In some cultures, the iris embodies courage, inspiring boldness and bravery in the face of challenges.

💧

Every 2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bearded Iris, commonly known as Iris 'Pajaro Dunes', should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage the roots to grow deeper into the soil, which makes the plant more drought-tolerant. During the active growth period in the spring and early summer, water approximately every two weeks, providing about one to two inches of water each time. Make sure the soil dries out between waterings as Iris rhizomes are prone to rot if kept too moist. Decrease watering after blooms have spent to encourage dormancy. In total, you might use about 1.5 gallons per plant per month, adjusting for climate and weather conditions.
Light
Bearded Iris thrives in full sun, which means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Choose a spot in the garden that isn't shaded by trees or other structures to ensure it receives ample sunlight, helping optimize bloom production and plant health. Too little light can result in fewer blooms and a weakened plant.
Temperature
Bearded Iris prefers temperate climates, thriving in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. They can survive winter temperatures as low as -20°F once established, while very high temperatures above 90°F may hamper bloom development. It's crucial to plant them in an area that avoids extreme temperature fluctuations to promote healthy growth.
Pruning
Pruning Bearded Iris involves removing dead blooms and cutting back foliage to about a third of its height after blooming to promote healthy growth and prevent disease. Prune again in late fall, removing any damaged or diseased leaves and stems. Pruning should be done annually to maintain plant vigor and appearance.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Iris 'Pajaro Dunes', also known as the Bearded Iris, is well-draining, loamy soil with moderate fertility. It's preferable to have a soil pH of slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.5 to 7.0. Amending the soil with organic matter like compost can help improve soil structure and nutrient content.
Repotting
Bearded Iris, often not grown in containers, doesn't require frequent repotting. If grown in pots, repot every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and divide the rhizomes to prevent overcrowding.
Humidity & Misting
Bearded Iris prefers average humidity conditions. They are adaptable to the humidity levels found in most outdoor garden environments and do not require specific humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, cooler temps; water sparingly.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil; divide clumps every few years.
- Hardiness zone
  4-10 USDA
Life cycle
The life of the Iris 'Pajaro Dunes' (CH), commonly known as the Pacific Coast Iris, begins with seed germination, occurring in moist, well-draining soil, typically in the cool, wet winters along the Pacific Coast. Seedlings emerge with narrow, grass-like leaves before developing into a mature plant, which takes several years. Once mature, the Pacific Coast Iris produces distinctive, colorful flowers, often in shades of blue, purple, lilac, or cream, usually blooming in late spring to early summer. After flowering, pollination occurs frequently through the aid of insects, leading to the development of seed capsules containing multiple seeds. As summer progresses, these seed capsules dry and split open, releasing seeds to start a new generation. The plant's foliage dies back in the late summer or early fall, with the rhizomes remaining dormant underground until conditions are favorable for the next growth cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Iris 'Pajaro Dunes', commonly known as the Bearded Iris, is often propagated through division, which is typically done in late summer after the blooming has occurred, ensuring that the plant has enough time to become established before the onset of winter. The division process involves carefully lifting the Iris clump from the ground using a garden fork to minimize root damage. Once out of the soil, the clump should be gently broken apart to separate the individual rhizomes, which are the thick, horizontal root-like structures. Each section should have at least one fan of leaves and a healthy portion of roots. The leaves are then trimmed to about one-third of their original height to reduce water loss and the divisions are replanted at ground level, ensuring the rhizome is partially exposed to the sun. The newly planted divisions should be watered in well, providing approximately an inch (2.54 centimeters) of water weekly if there is no rain.