Hi Melanie. Sorry, but I can't give you any advice. I only grow bearded iris and a few Siberians. I hope someone here can help you.

Shadow

If you are in zone 8 and your soil is workable, there is no reason NOT to plant them out now. These are tough, evergreen iris and will be a lot happier outside in the ground than inside a house. These are more of a woodland plant, preferring at least partial shade and a rich, moisture retentive soil. Site carefully - a happy bunch of Japanese wood iris will expand dramatically. In fact, they can be used very successfully as a woodland groundcover.

Ahh, many thanks for that! I was suspecting that might be the case - I'll pop them into the ground soon.

Cheers :)
Melanie

I have always planted mine in part shade, under trees. I thought that was what they would like best. Last winter I bought 2 pots of these. They had lots of tiny increase so I broke up the pots and planted an area of about 3 sq ft. I have not had much success with them previously so I wasn't all that hopeful. They have increased very well and are growing beautifully. The stiped leaves makes great contrast to both the dark foliage and the gorgeous red blooms of the Sprekelia's (Jacobian lilies) which grow along side of them. They are in full sun, in a raised bed, surrounded by brick paths and backed by the brick wall of the house. The bed faces North (think south in the US). I don't really understand why they are doing so well. I really hope they flower for me :-) I am tempted to plant some of the ordinary I. japonica in a similar location.
Cheers, Jan in Aus.

A trawl through the web reveals some confusion over these plants. Some reliable sources (e.g. Royal Horticultural Society) say that Iris japonica needs sun to part shade, and moist but well drained, or simply well drained, soil. Other sources claim they need shade and constant moisture. Jan: from what you've written I get the idea that they'd do best in full sun and well-drained soil.

NB. caveat to all of the above: "full sun" in the UK, where I am, is by no means equivalent to full sun in the US or Australia!

Ornata i agree with you. Full sun in the UK is probably quite a bit less burning than in most parts of Aus. Fortunately here we have more water vapour in the atmosphere than elsewhere, and the sun a little lower and the front (northerly) facing gardens a little protected from the afternoon sun by the tall gums.
They certainly do like this position and are increasing like crazy and have not suffered any burning over the past few hot weeks. I will try a few more crested iris there this year and see how they go.