The native iris (Iris douglasiana and related species and their hybrids) can be planted now. Well drained soil is best and if you have partially shaded location in hot summer areas, or more sun as you get closer to the coast, is the best time to plant these showy, easy care colorful perennials. Additionally, they have wonderful evergreen grassy foliage clumps and look attractive out of bloom! You just plant them (at same level as they were in container) and water regularly and they will provide years of color and almost zero maintenance. *once a year, clear out the old dead foliage, and bloom stalks. Division now is also possible if you are careful not to damge the new roots. Specialists carry many color forms and they practise a different means of propagation. The divide in Oct and soak the divisions in water until new growth begins, then plant immediately and keep the transplants wet until winter rains take over. There has been quite succesful hybridizing with this group and the colors are very bright and showy. The range includes blues, purples, whites, yellows, buffs, pinks, reddish, and many color combinations. Lots of these have very contrasting color and vein patterns on the petals. There has also been an increase in number of flowers as well as size increase.
A wonderful companion to these is the blue-eyed-grass, Sisyrinchyium bellum and the yellow-eyed-grass S, californicum. My preference is for the dwarf forms. Many of these are coastal in origin and come in blues, white, yellow. They stay in bloom for months! Well drained soil, let them dry out completely if you do not keep them heavily watered during the year or they may rot and die in summer high temps. Lots of water during the cool seasons, for good growth.