Welcome to Long’s Gardens! We are a third generation, family owned and operated iris farm in the middle of Boulder, Colorado. We were founded in 1905 by J.D. Long. Today the business is carried on by Catherine Long Gates, grand-daughter of J.D., and her husband, Dennis Gates.
For more on our history, see About Us. We specialize in bearded iris, which we sell online, as dig it yourself, and by mail order. Operating an agricultural enterprise in the middle of a city makes for some interesting challenges, but also provides an opportunity for people to slow down, take a break, and relax (take a virtual tour in our Gallery). Come see and smell the iris and enjoy a bit of historical Boulder. We’re open to the public when the iris are in bloom, late April through early June. Please check back often for updates.
Long’s Shorts
Happy Spring! – Our office and U-dig fields are open for the season every day from 9-5 through the iris bloom season (probably closing about June 15th).
The tall bearded iris are in bloom now, but unfortunately the blooms this year are sparse. The very cold temperatures in April froze a lot of the buds just as they were developing. The individual blossoms still pack a powerful punch ( as the photo below of our office bouquet illustrates), there are just fewer of them. We do have photo signs in the U-dig field so you can still tell the colors. Conditions are good for digging. Get a preview of the varieties in the U-Dig field by clicking here Digging Field Flipbook
The iris portion of our online store is open. https://longsgardens.com/catalog/ We dig these plants in July and August. You have the option to set a date to pick them up or we will mail them to you.
We hope you’ll be able to come visit during the spring bloom season to enjoy the iris and the farm. If that isn’t an option take a virtual visit through the website. THANK YOU to everyone for your support as we celebrate our 120th year!
Here are two of our favorite and most dependable tall bearded iris, (above) San Francisco and (below) Spinning Wheel.
The merchandise portion of our online store is open all year. Click Here to browse the store.
Below: Prince of Burgundy is one of the Intermediate size beauties.
In the market for more than plants? – you may satisfy some of your iris desires with our iris t-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags. They also make great gifts. Not sure what to get your gardening friend? How about a gift card? Gift cards may be used for merchandise or to purchase iris plants.
Orders are filled in July and August. Each plant is hand dug. The leaves are trimmed and they get a thorough washing. After that the plants spend some time drying before being carefully packed and sent via Priority Mail to your home.
Over the years many of you have had the pleasure of being greeted and assisted by one of our key staff members, Andy Hanscom. Sadly, Andy died very unexpectedly on April 28, 2021. It was Andy’s 14th season working here.
We are mourning a good life ended much too soon.
Kind hearted, generous, and friendly Andy had a hard time throwing an iris on the compost pile so he became the iris equivalent of Johnny Appleseed, distributing iris plants to countless folks, especially his mountain neighbors.
Updated on June 4, 2025
