Perennial - Blue Flag Iris

Blue Flag Iris

Botanical Name

:

Iris versicolor

Plant Type

:

Herbaceous perennial

Seasons

:

Plant in spring; blooms in late spring/early summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily); tolerates partial shade

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

50-70°F (10-21°C)

Soil Type

:

Moist, well-drained soil (tolerates some clay)

Hardiness Zones

:

3–9 (USDA)

Germination

:

Seeds take at least 3 months to germinate

P.H. Level

:

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.5-7.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Requires consistently moist soil, especially during growth and flowering

Fertilization

:

Generally not needed, but a balanced fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial

Habit

:

Clumping, spreading, upright

Propagation

:

Division (best in late summer or early fall) or seed (though slow)

Final Plant Height

:

2–4 ft

Spread

:

1–2 ft

Flowers

:

Blue to violet-blue, sometimes with yellow, white, or purple markings

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

:

Water gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, borders, naturalized areas

Companions

:

Other moisture-loving plants like Lobelia, Echinacea (in drier areas), and ferns

Pruning

:

Remove spent flower stalks to prevent self-seeding. Cut back foliage in fall after it dies back

Toxicity

:

Generally considered non-toxic, but may cause skin irritation in some individuals

Pests

:

Iris borers, slugs, snails

Diseases

:

Leaf spot, root rot (in poorly drained soil)

Fun Fact

:

The name “versicolor” refers to the varied colors of the flower

Confused With

:

Other Iris species, especially other blue-flowered varieties

Additional Info

:

Thrives in wet environments and is commonly found in marshes and along streams

Botanical Name

:

Iris versicolor

Plant Type

:

Herbaceous perennial

Seasons

:

Plant in spring; blooms in late spring/early summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily); tolerates partial shade

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

50-70°F (10-21°C)

Soil Type

:

Moist, well-drained soil (tolerates some clay)

Hardiness Zones

:

3–9 (USDA)

Germination

:

Seeds take at least 3 months to germinate

P.H. Level

:

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.5-7.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Requires consistently moist soil, especially during growth and flowering

Fertilization

:

Generally not needed, but a balanced fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial

Habit

:

Clumping, spreading, upright

Propagation

:

Division (best in late summer or early fall) or seed (though slow)

Final Plant Height

:

2–4 ft

Spread

:

1–2 ft

Flowers

:

Blue to violet-blue, sometimes with yellow, white, or purple markings

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

:

Water gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, borders, naturalized areas

Companions

:

Other moisture-loving plants like Lobelia, Echinacea (in drier areas), and ferns

Pruning

:

Remove spent flower stalks to prevent self-seeding. Cut back foliage in fall after it dies back

Toxicity

:

Generally considered non-toxic, but may cause skin irritation in some individuals

Pests

:

Iris borers, slugs, snails

Diseases

:

Leaf spot, root rot (in poorly drained soil)

Fun Fact

:

The name “versicolor” refers to the varied colors of the flower

Confused With

:

Other Iris species, especially other blue-flowered varieties

Additional Info

:

Thrives in wet environments and is commonly found in marshes and along streams

Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/