Jesse Saylor
Family
Iridaceae
Botanical Name
Iris versicolor
Plant Common Name
Harlequin Blueflag
General Description
This beautiful aquatic iris, with its lovely blue flowers, is at home both in the wild and the water garden. It is an exceptionally hardy North American native with a broad northeastern distribution, from the upper reaches of Canada, down to Virginia and west to Minnesota. Harlequin blueflag is a true marginal, thriving both in average fertile soil or shallow standing water.
This robust perennial forms large clumps of long, strap-like leaves that stand upright or arch gracefully. The leaves are somewhat aligned like a fan but are not as equitant as those of other species. It spreads by rhizomes, which are thick, fleshy, rooted stems that travel through the mud sending up new leaves. Delicate violet-blue to purple iris flowers appear in late spring or early summer. Each showy bloom has three small, upright standards and three large, nearly flat falls with beautiful white and yellow bases and nearly black venation. The showy blooms are followed by three chambered, green, seedpods that mature to brown.
Full to partial sun and fertile, moist to fully saturated soil is best for harlequin blueflag. It can only withstand shallow water which just covers its root zone. Iris borers and thrips may cause occasional problems, but this species is otherwise trouble free. In the garden, blueflag shines in water-filled containers, traditional gardens or naturalistic water gardens where it can spread. This wetland species is also ideally suited to natural areas along pond, stream or lake sides.
Under the right conditions, a single plant can spread quickly and cover a substantial area, though this is rarely a problem with garden grown specimens. There are lots of exceptional cultivars to choose from, including the rosy lavender flowered, 'Claret Cup.'
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 9
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
1'-3' / 0.3m - 0.9m
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Northeastern United States, North-Central United States, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bog Garden, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Water Gardens, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
