Iris Cristata

Iris cristata, the crested iris, is a charming native woodland perennial that thrives in the dappled shade and sandy, acidic soils widespread across Martha's Vineyard's interior landscape. Its delicate lavender-blue flowers in late April and early May provide some of the earliest color in woodland garden settings on properties in West Tisbury, Chilmark, and the wooded neighborhoods of Edgartown. It spreads slowly by rhizome to form a refined low ground cover well-suited to the front edges of shade borders and the naturalized edges of formal gardens transitioning into woodland.

Deer largely avoid it, supporting its use in unfenced garden settings throughout the island. Maintenance under a professional program typically involves division every three to four years to maintain flowering vigor and prevent the center of established colonies from going bare.