THE SOCIETY FOR PACIFIC COAST NATIVE IRIS
Welcome to our Internet Web site. The site is organized around four themes. You can reach any topic by selecting it either from the list below, or from the index on the left.
I. SPCNI (the Society)
II. Wild Irises
III. Garden Irises
IV. References
I. SPCNI is the section of the AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY dedicated to the wild-growing irises native to California, Oregon and Washington. Members have diverse interests: some like to learn about each of the 11 different species as they live in their wild habitats, many grow "Pacificas" in their home gardens, while others explore the hidden potential of this unusual genetic pool by crossing different plants to create new hybrids with enhanced disease resistance, especially attractive colors and growth patterns, or longer blooming seasons.
II. Wild Irises. The SPCNI helps its members become familiar with the native irises. It sponsors guided field trips to see wild iris growing in especially good sites, and to gardens that use the various species in landscaping projects. It promotes student research that helps clarify the nature of each iris population and the evolution of the group, including topics like DNA variations in the "Pacificas" and their nearest Old World relatives.
III. Garden Irises. Within the past decade, Pacific Coast native iris have become widely used in private and commercial landscaping projects. In the Western states, they are now available in most commercial nurseries. Society members exchange plants and seeds of species and hybrids. Especially attractive new varieties are judged at local, regional and national shows. The American Iris Society's annual Mitchell Medal is the highest recognition for a newly introduced "Pacifica".
IV. References Sources. For nearly three decades, the Society has published a biannual newsletter, the ALMANAC, with reports describing members' experiences as they discover wild iris populations, raise "Pacificas" in their gardens, or cross different varieties to produce new hybrids. It makes easily available copies of the most helpful published reports, as well as its own publications on diseases affecting the "Pacificas", and complete checklists of named and introduced varieties.
If any of these topics pique your curiosity, we invite you to continue exploring the following pages. And by the way, one of the easiest ways to learn more is with a membership in the Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris.