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Iris versicolor (Blue Flag)

Blue Flag, Boston Iris, Liver Lily, North American Blue Flag, Purple Iris, Snake Lily, Wild Iris, Harlequin Blueflag

Iris versicolor, Blue Flag, Boston Iris, Liver Lily, North American Blue Flag, Purple Iris, Snake Lily, Wild Iris, Iris for Ponds, Perennial for wet soil, Perennial for poorly drained soils, Purple Flowers
Iris versicolor, Blue Flag, Boston Iris, Liver Lily, North American Blue Flag, Purple Iris, Snake Lily, Wild Iris, Iris for Ponds, Perennial for wet soil, Perennial for poorly drained soils, Purple Flowers

Noted for its distinct upright habit and striking flowers, Iris versicolor (Blue Flag) is a rhizomatous perennial forming a clump of narrow, upright or gracefully recurving, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves. Branched stems rise from the clump in late spring to early summer, each of them boasting 3-5 bluish-purple flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), adorned with bold purple veining. The falls feature a conspicuously veined white basal patch and a yellow blotch. Very handsome in and out of bloom, Iris versicolor is a central landscape plant for the water garden, near ponds and streams. This marginal aquatic plant is also a lovely addition to moist borders.

  • Grows up to 24-30 in. tall and wide (60-75 cm). Clumps will spread steadily over time to form colonies.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in acidic, moist to wet, humus-rich soils. This iris may be grown in up to 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) of shallow standing water.
  • A welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, water gardens and near streams or ponds, where it will provide excellent color contrast.
  • Propagate by division from mid-summer to early autumn.
  • Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for sawflies. Deer resistant.
  • All parts may cause discomfort if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to the eastern United States.

Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for irises like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris other species
Common names Blue Flag, Wild Iris, Purple Iris, Iris
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Northeast, Ohio, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, United States, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Iris virginica var. shrevei (Southern Blue Flag)
Iris latifolia (English Iris)
Iris lactea (Milky Iris)
Iris chrysographes (Gold-Marked Iris)
Iris macrosiphon (Long Tubed Iris)
Iris hexagona (Dixie Iris)

Recommended Companion Plants

Primula pulverulenta (Candelabra Primrose)
Carex elata ‘Aurea’ (Bowles’ Golden Sedge)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Native Plant Alternatives to Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
Irises: How to Grow and Care with Success
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Iridaceae
Genus Iris other species
Common names Blue Flag, Wild Iris, Purple Iris, Iris
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 30"
(60cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Northeast, Ohio, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southeast, United States, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Iris Species
Not sure which Iris Species to pick?
Compare Now

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