Red Iris

The red iris, one of Louisiana’s rarest native flowers, blooms each April in a swamp near the town of Abbeville—its only known natural habitat in the world. Unlike the more common blue irises found along canals and swamp trails across the state, this vibrant red bloom, known as the Abbeville Red or Iris nelsonii, exists in a fragile ecosystem on private property.

red iris rescue

Gary Salathe, a member of the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative, leads efforts to protect the rare red iris. Wading through a backyard swamp, he gestures toward a flash of color beneath the trees. “Look how pretty that one is,” he says, visibly moved. For Salathe, this is no casual stroll—it’s a rescue mission. “If you’re faced with a species that could possibly be totally destroyed,” he says, “that definitely gives you motivation.”

Salathe recalls the first time he spotted the rare blooming flowers. “I thought there’d be more,” he says. “Imagine something that beautiful just growing out in the wild. It’s a native plant. Nobody planted it, and it’s been here for centuries probably.”

from swamp to sanctuary – a new home for the red iris

In recent years, conservationists have worked to relocate irises threatened by development or herbicide spraying. Many of the more common native Louisiana irises now flourish in public spaces like the Joyce Wildlife Management Area and Big Branch Marsh.

The Abbeville red iris only recently made its public debut. The red flowers can be seen along a boardwalk at Palmetto Island State Park, just four miles from rare flower’s original habitat.

Andrea Jones, the park’s manager, notes that the new planting site, “was natural swamp already. So when they built it, they built the boardwalk over the top of it.” The swamp now hosts maturing red irises grown from seeds collected in the wild.

red iris volunteers

Local volunteers like Ed Wilhelm have been instrumental in creating the red iris sanctuary. A garden club member, Wilhelm helped clear invasive species to make room for young irises. “You don’t have this anywhere,” he says. “It’s peaceful. You can sit down and just hear the birds chirping, maybe a frog croaking, see the sunlight shafting through the trees.”

Salathe hopes the rare flower will draw more visitors. “Holland has its tulips,” he says. “Abbeville has the Abbeville red iris.” And now, thanks to years of care and commitment, that legacy is blooming once more.

the Abbeville red iris featured on tv

getting there

The Abbevile red irises are located along a nature walk in Palmetto Island State Park. The irises typically bloom for 2-3 weeks in mid-April. The state park is located at 19501 Pleasant Road, Abbeville, LA. Phone: (337) 893-3930.

19501 Pleasant Dr, Abbeville, LA 70510