It is native to the Inner and Outer North California Coast Ranges, such as the Santa Cruz Mountains, and surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area.

It grows in full sun near the coast, and afternoon shade inland.

Fernald's are no longer found in pure form in Marin County, however; they have naturally hybridized with Iris douglasiana in this area.

It has leaves that are gray-green with pink, red, or purple coloring along their edges and bases.

The color ranges from creamy white or a rich to pale yellow, and rarely light lavender.