Blue Flag Iris

The Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It typically grows to be around 2 to 3 feet tall and has long, sword-shaped leaves up to 3 feet long and 1 inch wide. The green leaves have a distinctive mid-rib that runs down the center. This perennial has a long lifespan and is very popular in flower gardens and beds.

Blue Flag Iris's Bloom

The Blue Flag Iris blooms in late spring to early summer and produces large, showy flowers that are typically azer to purple, although they can sometimes be white or yellow. The flowers are composed of three upright petals, called standards, and three downward-hanging petals, called falls, often marked with darker veining or spots. The flowers are approximately 3 to 4 inches across and are borne on tall, branching stems that rise above the foliage.

Blue Flag Iris's Requirements

It prefers moist to wet soil and is often found growing near streams, ponds, and other bodies of water. It also tolerates some shade, although it does best in full sun. The plant is relatively low maintenance and is a good choice for a naturalistic or wildlife garden, as it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Blue Flag Iris' Flowers

The Blue Flag Iris blooming period is from late spring to early summer and lasts approximately a month for a colony of plants; however, individual flowers are short-lived.

They have a pleasant floral fragrance and are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and long-horned bees. Butterflies and skippers also visit occasionally but are less effective at cross-pollination. The insects suck nectar primarily from the flowers, but some of the bees also collect pollen.

Blue Flag Iris's Growth

This perennial plant grows two to four feet tall with clumps of sword-shaped green or bluish-green erect basal leaves up to three feet long. The flowers are up to 3½ inches across. The petaloid sepals spread out from the flower's center and are violet with prominent patches of white and yellow with purple veins.

The shorter, oblong branches have upturned tips. The ascending petals are violet with darker purple veins. Later, the flowers are replaced by capsules with rows of tightly stacked seeds. The seeds can float on water when the capsules split open and spread to new areas.

The root system of fleshy rhizomes with coarse fibrous roots produces colonies of plants. The iris prefers wet to moist conditions, must not dry out, prefers a partially shaded location, and needs rich organic soil. Seeds should also stay dry; store them with some moist sand.

This attractive plant is ideal for the edges of streams, ponds, or retention areas and can be found in Florida marshy areas. It grows in standing water but can tolerate average garden soils and regular watering.

It's suitable for massing in front of shrubs, can be used as a spiky accent plant, and is a year-round favorite in the garden. Although the lavender to purple flowers only bloom briefly in the spring, the upright coarse-textured foliage remains attractive.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Planting bare-root perennials is best in any season if they are dormant; we only sell dormant plants. Planting them year-round is also excellent if you can get dormant perennials. When your bare-root perennials arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them. Lant by digging a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and deep enough to place the top portion crown (where the roots meet the stem) at or slightly above ground level. Position the plant in the hole, backfill with native soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots—water well after planting to settle the soil around the plant and eliminate air. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in, keeping the mulch away from the crown. Irrigate plants regularly during the first few weeks of drought; never water in full sun, and water late in the evenings to ensure the roots are established well. Fertilize sparingly in the first year, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in subsequent years as needed.

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