Hundreds of Louisiana irises were just planted in Grand Isle and they ll bloom in few weeks
Halle Parker
More than 500 giant blue Louisiana irises rescued from a plot slated for development have found a new home in the wetlands along the Nature Conservancy s Lafitte Woods Preserve nature trail in Grand Isle.
Once abundant across coastal Louisiana, the state wildflower s numbers have declined over the years due to a range of factors, including the use of herbicide to keep drainage ditches clear of weeds and the intrusion of saltwater into once-freshwater wetlands.
While not endangered, the species is much less visible across much of southeast Louisiana. In an effort to raise public awareness, the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative has relocated nearly 30,000 irises to refuges.