Those flamboyant bearded irises may get most of the attention, but the not-so-humble Douglas iris is ready for more time in the spotlight.

A North American native, this spectacular species grows in coastal California and Oregon.

Irises can tolerate anything from full shade to full sun, though they’re better off in partial shade or partial sun. In cooler areas, these irises are more sun- and drought-tolerant than in hot regions.

If you live somewhere hot and dry, plant them in full shade.

Water these plants all year round if Mother Nature doesn’t do the work for you. They’re the only evergreen iris species in the West and they grow from fall until the summer heat begins, at which point they go dormant.