Scientific Name: Iris versicolor
Common Name: blue flag iris
Native Range: Northeastern North America
Zone: 3 to 9
Plant type & Form: Herbaceous marginal aquatic perennial
Height: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Violet blue
Flower: Flowering stalks each producing 3-5 bluish-purple flowers with bold purple veining
Fruit: An oblong, 3-parted seed capsule
Leaf: Narrow, arching-to-erect, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Soil type & pH: Prefers wet soils and can be grown in 2-4″ of standing water
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Water plant, naturalize, rain garden
Tolerates: Deer, wet soil
Notes: The plant clumps and spreads through rhizomes. The rhizome is poisonous, so wear gloves when handling.
Identification notes: Look for straight, sword-like leaves and a violet, orchid-like flower.
Information gathered from Missouri Botanical Garden
