Flowering today is the lovely Alophia drummondii, a small southeast/midwest (Mississippi to Oklahoma) native iris relative, that’s virtually unknown to both gardeners and nurseries. The narrow leaves are easy to overlook, but the small, intricate flowers atop 2′ tall stalks, certainly grab your attention when it bursts into flower, starting for us in mid-June. This is a dryland grower, often found where grassland meet the forest edge. It’s discoverer and namesake was Scottish botanist Thomas Drummond (1790-1835). Hardiness Zone 7a-9b, at least.
