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Iris, Japanese

Herbaceous Perennial Flower

Iris ensata
Iridaceae Family
Synonym: Iris kaempferi

More than just beautiful flowering plants, Japanese Irises are an artform. For over 500 years, Japanese horticulturalists have developed exquisite hybrids of this species. Great for damp sites.

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Site and Plant Characteristics
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Growing Information
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Varieties
Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade

Soil conditions:

  • requires acid soil
  • requires damp soil

Hardiness zones:

  • 5 to 9
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Height: 2 to 3 feet

Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet

Bloom time:

  • early summer
  • mid-summer

Flower color:

  • blue
  • violet
  • white

Foliage color: medium green

Foliage texture: medium

Shape:

  • upright
  • fan-shaped

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

Each flower stem bears 3 to 4 blooms.
Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • deer resistant
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Native to Japan.
Special uses:
  • cut flowers
  • bog garden
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by division or separation - Divide every 3 to 4 years.

Maintenance and care:
Maintain acid soil pH. Divide every 3 to 4 years in fall.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Varieties
‘Cry of Rejoice’: yellow centered deep purple blooms.

‘Eleanor Perry’: purple veined violet flowers.

‘Festive Greeting’: white veined red blooms.

‘Hidden Treasure’: silvery white veined maroon blooms.

‘Moonlight Waves’: white blooms.

‘Pinstripe’: pale purple blooms with deep purple veining and centers.

‘Summer Storm’: dark violet blooms.

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