Authentic Native Louisiana Irises Only
Our Native Louisiana Iris species were harvested from their original habitat. These species originated in the wetlands of South Louisiana. This is why we offer "Only Authentic Louisiana Irises - Only From Louisiana".
- The first plant we feature is the authentic Native Louisiana Iris, these well-known purple irises include the Dixie iris (Iris hexagona), the ZigZag iris (Iris brevicaulis) and the Giant Blue iris (Iris giganticaerulea). These irses are sold in random fashion like they were in their habitat.
- These hardy plants are easy to grow and produce beautiful, showy purple flowers.
- Our second offering is the unique, "Plantation Iris". These Native Louisiana Irises were gathered from Louisiana wetlands, then replanted in antebellum plantation gardens, over 175 years ago.
- Fortunately, they were rescued from these gardens before the plantations were destroyed and were brought to us for preservation.
- Our Plantation Iris stock self-hybridized in these gardens to produce beautiful purples, blues and some random colors, which mimic the way they looked in the plantation gardens.
- Louisiana Iris Nursery’s mission is to herald the beginning of spring with a glorious display of color
- Iris beds are an easy way to win the envy of your neighbors
THE LOUISIANA IRIS NURSERY STORY
Hi, I'm Allan Williams. I spent many years as a single man and I hoped that in my golden years, I’d be blessed to find my one last relationship, a companion, a lady, someone, to share our final years together. As you know dating has changed, so I gritted my teeth and tried this new online dating thing. To make a long story short, and to my amazement, I met the love of my life, AND WE ARE SO HAPPY.
Well, with any good fairytale there must be an evil witch lurking; and this witch has brought on a debilitating illness to my wife that leaves her bed ridden so, so often. Our doctors have been quite helpless in finding remedies for her pain and inability to move around. And I have been equally challenged to do anything to ease her monotony of being in bed for such long periods of time.
We live in rural, i.e. country part of the Comite River basin, actually between the Comite and Amite rivers. This boggy area is one of the places where beautiful blue iris flowers grow wild. My wife has been thrilled by their beauty from her very childhood, and all who are so, are equally satisfied by how long these flowers remain so radiant in a vase.
Well, with any good fairytale there must be an evil witch lurking; and this witch has brought on a debilitating illness to my wife that leaves her bed ridden so, so often. Our doctors have been quite helpless in finding remedies for her pain and inability to move around. And I have been equally challenged to do anything to ease her monotony of being in bed for such long periods of time.
We live in rural, i.e. country part of the Comite River basin, actually between the Comite and Amite rivers. This boggy area is one of the places where beautiful blue iris flowers grow wild. My wife has been thrilled by their beauty from her very childhood, and all who are so, are equally satisfied by how long these flowers remain so radiant in a vase.
I brought irises to her often, to her great delight. To see the joy on her face was sometimes simply overwhelming to me emotionally. Her joy was such a sweet blessing for me, that I felt inspired to share the love and joy these blue and purple flowers give us. So, I thought to plant a bed of these flowers outside where she could see them from her bedroom window.
However, wild irises weren't easy to find. They grow indigenously, wild in lowlands and bogs in Louisiana. But their presence is shrinking as is their habitat, because of development and major hurricane erosion of Louisiana’s lowlands. So, finding irises to plant for my wife became a mission.
When I looked for the blue and purple iris flowers in the wilds of the Comite River basin wetlands, near our home, I was astonished to find the swamps I knew as child were all but gone! I've heard, for years, that this natural habitat was dwindling, but what a shock it was to see it for myself. So, at that point I thought: if we aren't going to save the wetlands perhaps maybe I could help save these beautiful flowers from extinction. Thus, a second part of my mission to find these flowering irises for my wife, now became, to find and rescue these native flowers and do my part to repopulate the remaining wetlands with Louisiana native irises.
However, wild irises weren't easy to find. They grow indigenously, wild in lowlands and bogs in Louisiana. But their presence is shrinking as is their habitat, because of development and major hurricane erosion of Louisiana’s lowlands. So, finding irises to plant for my wife became a mission.
When I looked for the blue and purple iris flowers in the wilds of the Comite River basin wetlands, near our home, I was astonished to find the swamps I knew as child were all but gone! I've heard, for years, that this natural habitat was dwindling, but what a shock it was to see it for myself. So, at that point I thought: if we aren't going to save the wetlands perhaps maybe I could help save these beautiful flowers from extinction. Thus, a second part of my mission to find these flowering irises for my wife, now became, to find and rescue these native flowers and do my part to repopulate the remaining wetlands with Louisiana native irises.
What is this beautiful, showy blue and purple flower, with such an appeal to my wife and is so famous worldwide? Officially there are four species of Louisiana irises. They are called The Native Louisiana Iris, because only in Louisiana do all four species grow together. Nowhere else in the world do these four species grow alongside one another.
They are so easy to grow and maintain. I thought to myself: people need to know about these wonderful plants and grow these showy flowers before they disappear.
What was a simple act of love for my blessing of a wife, has turned into a mission to rescue and grow Native Louisiana Irises for iris lovers everywhere. So became the start of the Louisiana Iris Nursery.
This is just the beginning of the story. Join me to save these ancient native irises that has brought my family such joy, and I am sure you will be delighted too.
Allan Williams
They are so easy to grow and maintain. I thought to myself: people need to know about these wonderful plants and grow these showy flowers before they disappear.
What was a simple act of love for my blessing of a wife, has turned into a mission to rescue and grow Native Louisiana Irises for iris lovers everywhere. So became the start of the Louisiana Iris Nursery.
This is just the beginning of the story. Join me to save these ancient native irises that has brought my family such joy, and I am sure you will be delighted too.
Allan Williams
Questions?
Native Louisiana Irises and Plantation Irises
Contact
Allan Williams
225 955-7608
10am to 8pm
Native Louisiana Irises and Plantation Irises
Contact
Allan Williams
225 955-7608
10am to 8pm
(Now is the the time to start your Authentic Louisiana Iris Garden)