Moncus Park Recieves Historic Louisiana Iris Collection from Goula Estate

LAFAYETTE, LA (January 13, 2025) — Moncus Park, home to Louisiana’s largest display of iris cultivars, announces a significant expansion of its iris collection through a generous donation from the estate of Richard Goula, a renowned authority on Louisiana irises. The donation will enhance the park’s already impressive collection of over 10,000 Louisiana irises with approximately 1,000 additional specimens.

Richard Goula was not only a dedicated cultivator but also a prominent historian of Louisiana irises, having authored the definitive historical account in the first edition of the Society for Louisiana Irises’ seminal publication. His scholarly work captured the adventurous spirit of early iris enthusiasts who explored swamps and bogs in search of novel forms and colors, helping to document and preserve this crucial chapter of Louisiana’s botanical heritage.

The acquisition has revealed an unexpected treasure: a collection of vintage plant identification tags that may help preserve vital pieces of Louisiana’s horticultural history.

“This discovery is incredibly exciting,” notes Mark Hernandez, Grounds Director at Moncus Park. “Many of these varieties were introduced to the trade in the 1960s and are no longer commercially available. Through this preservation effort, we hope to rescue long-forgotten varieties of historic Louisiana irises that might otherwise be lost to time.”

The Goula collection, carefully maintained on an 18-acre property near Sunset, Louisiana, represents one of the region’s most significant private collections of Louisiana irises. Following Goula’s meticulous approach to preservation, the specimens were cultivated with strict attention to maintaining genetic purity between varieties.

The acquisition comes just months after Moncus Park’s successful planting of 400 I. giganticaerulea specimens in May 2024, conducted in partnership with the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative (LICI). The park’s existing iris display, which blooms spectacularly each April along the banks of Lake Reaux, draws visitors from across the region.

The Moncus Park team anticipates beginning the transplantation process in January 2025, with the first blooms from the Goula collection expected as soon as spring 2025. The addition of these specimens will further establish Moncus Park as a premier destination for iris enthusiasts, botanical researchers, and those interested in the rich history of Louisiana’s native flora.

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About Moncus Park

Moncus Park cultivates connections to enrich lives and strengthen community through nature. As Acadiana’s premier greenspace, this 100-acre nonprofit park conservancy provides over 150 free community programs annually while supporting local businesses and sustainable practices. The first of its kind in Acadiana, Moncus Park operates through fundraising and self-generated activities, representing an innovative model for public spaces nationwide. To learn more about Moncus Park’s mission and contribute to its impactful journey, please visit www.moncuspark.org.