What types of irises are featured on the BC Iris Society website?

The BC Iris Society website showcases a wide range of iris types through its galleries, with each entry labeled by category abbreviation, bloom season, and height. The main categories visible include tall bearded (TB), standard dwarf bearded (SDB), Siberian (SIB), species (SP), Pacific Coast native (PCN), and others such as arilbred (AB), Japanese (JI), and spuria (SPX). These labels help gardeners match irises to their climate, space, and desired bloom time.

Iris categories on the site

The galleries list irises with a short code after the name. Here are the categories that appear most often, along with examples from the site:

Not every entry includes height or bloom time, but many do. The site consistently uses these abbreviations, so you can scan a gallery and quickly see whether a plant is a tall bearded iris that blooms in late spring or a dwarf bearded iris that stays under 15 inches.

How the site labels bloom season and height

Each iris name is followed by its category code, and often by height in inches and centimeters, plus a bloom season. For example:

• Dusky Challenger, TB. Height 39" (99 cm). Midseason to late bloom.
• Cimarron Rose, SDB. Height 14" (46 cm). Midseason to late bloom and rebloom.
• Table For Two, TB. 36" (91 cm). Very early bloom.
• Fancy Woman, TB. Height 38" (97 cm). Very early to early midseason bloom.

This format lets you compare irises at a glance. If you want a tall backdrop that blooms in late spring, a TB with "midseason to late" works. If you need something compact for the front of a border, an SDB at 12–14 inches is a better fit. The "rebloom" note on Cimarron Rose signals it may flower again later in the season, which extends the display.

Why different types suit different garden situations

The categories on the site reflect real differences in growth habit and garden use:

• Tall Bearded (TB) — The largest group shown, with heights from 30" to 43". These are the classic bearded irises with large flowers, best for mid-border or back-of-border placement where their height and showy blooms can be seen. They need well-drained soil and full sun.
• Standard Dwarf Bearded (SDB) — At 12–14 inches, these are compact and early to midseason bloomers. They work well at the front of a border, in rock gardens, or in containers. Their small size makes them less likely to be damaged by wind.
• Siberian (SIB) — Though the site does not list heights for every SIB, Siberian irises are known for slender foliage and tolerance of heavier soils. They suit moist areas or rain gardens where bearded irises might rot.
• Species (SP) — These are wild-type irises, such as Iris chrysographes and Iris florentine. They offer naturalistic forms and are often smaller or more delicate, suitable for woodland edges or informal plantings.
• Pacific Coast Native (PCN) — Native to the Pacific coast of North America, these irises prefer dry summers and are adapted to local conditions in British Columbia. They are a good choice for gardeners wanting regionally appropriate plants.
• Arilbred (AB) — A cross between aril irises and bearded irises, these are often drought-tolerant and have distinctive flower forms. The site lists Shimmy Shake at 16" and Galaxina at 24", so they fit in the smaller to mid-size range.
• Japanese (JI) — Japanese irises typically prefer moisture and have flat, wide flowers. Gingham Geisha is one example on the site.
• Spuria (SPX) — Spuria irises are tall, sturdy, and good for cutting. Do the Math is listed as SPX.

The site also has a page titled "Where to Buy Iris in British Columbia," which mentions Hillside Irises in Cawston, BC, as growers of bearded iris shipping all over Canada with easy online ordering. That page can help you find specific types if you decide which category you want.

Using the galleries to choose irises

To pick irises for your garden from this site:

1. Identify your conditions — sun, soil drainage, moisture level, and space.
2. Match the category — TB for height and show, SDB for edges and containers, SIB for moist soil, PCN for dry-summer West Coast gardens, species for naturalistic plantings.
3. Check the bloom season — the site labels early, midseason, late, and rebloom. Combining early and late bloomers extends the iris season.
4. Note the height — listed in inches and centimeters for many entries, so you can place tall ones behind short ones.
5. Look at the galleries — the site invites you to "have a look through more of our Iris Galleries" to see the full range.

The BC Iris Society site is a showcase and information hub rather than a shop. It provides the categories, labels, and examples you need to understand what types exist and how they differ, then points you to growers like Hillside Irises for purchasing.