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Gerald L. Klingaman
Iridaceae
Iris pseudacorus
Pale Yellow Flag, Pale Yellow Iris
The fragrant yellow blooms of this aquatic iris are held above substantial clumps of green strap-like foliage. This vigorous perennial is native to Europe and western Asia, though it has naturalized in temperate regions across the world.
Pale yellow flag resides along the water´s edge and forms clumps that spread via fleshy rhizomes. The green to gray-green foliage is slender, tall and lightly ribbed. In the heat of summer, light yellow flowers appear on sturdy stems held above the leaves. The classic iris flowers have three drooping petals, called "falls", with violet-brown markings and three upright petals, called "standards." The flowers are visited by bees. After pollination, elongated, dry, three-chambered fruits appear, which are filled with dark seeds.
Grow pale yellow flag in full to partial sun in any soil that is organic-rich and waterlogged. Often it is grown in still shallow water along water edges, but can also be grown out of water in moist garden soil. The cultivar 'Alba' has nearly white blossoms, with hints of pale butter yellow, and 'Variegata' has foliage with pale green and yellow stripes. Many spectacular hybrids have been developed using pale yellow flag as a parent; however, these cultivars are generally not aquatic in nature.
Pale yellow flag is an aggressive plant that has escaped from cultivation in many regions across the globe. Never plant it in natural marshlands outside of its native distribution. Even controlled garden ponds should be avoided. In cultivation it is best grown in a container but will require regular division.
8 - 3
4 - 8
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Perennial
Full Sun, Partial Sun
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Europe, Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, Russia/Siberia, Mediterranean, Iraq, Iran, Western Asia
Acidic, Neutral
Poorly Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Wet Site
Fast
Average Water, Ample Water
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer
Showy
Light Yellow, Chocolate
Bicolor
Brown
Green, Gray Green
Gray Green, Dark Green
Gray Green, Dark Green, Yellow Green
Yes
No
Single
Medium
Matte
Bog Garden, Container, Water Gardens
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