Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3', 3-6'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Lavender, Purple, Red, Violet, White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Brown, Orange

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Water Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

This iris blooms late spring, with a more delicate and refined form than the bearded iris. The flower has six segments, with three recurved and three standards (the petals that stand upright). Flower colors are white, blues, purple, rose, and violet. The foliage is narrow and dense, eventually having an upright vase-shape. The flowers, when they go to seed, produce beautiful orange berries that are persistent into winter, and the foliage develops an orangish tone in the fall. Grows about 2 to 4 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Truly, a three season iris.

Grow in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Though it is not particular about soil type, it will grow best in a fertile, loamy soil. The flowers are lovely cut, but the seed heads are quite ornamental and its worth letting some go to seed. The foliage is very persistent into the winter months and provides a pleasant winter presence; cut back in late winter to early spring as new growth emerges.