Jim, I grow a number of taxa of the Californicae section of Iris. Yes, I'm on the Pacific coast, but I'm definitely out of their range. However, due to a similar climate, I have success with them and they flower rather well every year. I've had I. douglasiana, innominata and tenax around for many years already, all of these growing in the rock garden. Here they have sure drainage to cope with our winter rainfall but enough summer moisture as well. I don't think our summer irrigation penetrates very far down, it acts more like the action of a fog, or mist perhaps. Just thought I'd chime in! Brent Hine Vancouver, BC Zone 7b