I'm a member of the Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris, and have been growing them here on Vancouver Island for over 30 years. Mine don't look ratty in the summer. They look fine whether they are in a part of the garden that I water or not. Many are growing with rhododendrons, which need summer watering. The hybrids are very adaptable, as most have a good dose of indestructible Iris douglasiana genes. This is the one that grows in big clumps along the coast, and can cope with drought, flood, cows. The Society has a website and a good seed exchange. http://www.pacificcoastiris.org/socintro.html -- Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada maritime zone 8 cool mediterranean climate (dry summer, rainy winter - 68 cm annually) sandy soil