Japanese Iris

I currently have several clumps of Louisiana Iris that I have successfully kept alive and happy. I like them, but am not crazy about the short bloom cycle. I saw in a catalog that Japanese Iris bloom after the timeframe that my LA Iris bloom, so.... I was wondering if I could plant both types together and keep a longer bloom season.

My questions are:
1. I am in Houston (Zone 9). Can I even grow Japanese Iris in full sun here? I know it says Zone 9, but sometimes it doesn't really mean our hot, humid, clay soil (although it is amended), Zone 9.

2. I read that Japanese Iris require a bog. Can they be grown in garden soil like LA Iris?

3. If this is a bad idea, do you have any other suggestions for an iris that would be a better choice?

Thanks so much for the help.

While I love JI's and have many of them I don't know how they'd behave in your zone. My best guess would be to ask others in your regional forum to see how they grow for them. They do want moist soil and up here they want full sunshine. I don't know if full sun would be appropriate for your area. Good luck. They are heavenly.

Not the greatest photo.

I had read where someone in Dallas was growing Hatsu Kagami successfully. Why not try a couple Japanese to see how they do? My iris book by Claire Austin says JIs will grow in an almost sub tropical climate.

I know Pirl will be selling some Japanese iris in the fall, which would be a good time for you to plant them. I don't know if she will have any Hatsu Kagami available, but maybe she can let us know.

As far as beardless go, spuria iris should do well for you. They will bloom even later than the Japanese and Louisiana, extending your season even longer.

I do have Hatsu Kagami but I'm still not sure, at all, that I'll be selling any this fall.

What a lovely JI in the photo Pirl - which one is it?

Thanks. It's Hatsu Kagami. I think it multiplied as fast as it did because it's so close to the birdbath and gets much of the water when I change it each day.