Northern Blue Flag Iris — Iris versicolor (Native Water Garden Perennial)

Northern Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) is one of the most beautiful and ecologically valuable of all native aquatic and marginal perennials — a clump-forming deciduous perennial with long, erect, blue-green sword-like foliage from which rise long, sturdy stalks in summer topped with exquisitely patterned flowers in soft bluish-purple with intricate deep purple veining, a central yellow splotch, and a crisp surrounding white zone that creates a strikingly elegant, multi-toned floral display beloved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds alike. Native to the Northeast US and Canada, Northern Blue Flag Iris is equally at home at the edge of ponds and streams, in rain gardens and water features, or in consistently moist borders where it naturalizes beautifully over time. Thrives in rich, slightly acidic, moist to wet water-retentive soils in full to part sun. In winter, move to drier ground to protect roots from wet, boggy conditions. Hardy to Zone 3.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Medium Maintenance. Water regularly, then occasionally once established. Cut back dying foliage after flowering. Move to drier ground in fall/winter to prevent root rot in boggy conditions.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Water Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Naturalized Areas, Foundation Plantings, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Joe Pye Weed, Spiderwort, Turtlehead

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.