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Description
Purple Iris (Iris versicolor), also known as blue flag, harlequin blue flag, or northern blue flag, is a flowering herbaceous perennial native to wet habitats. This striking plant thrives in bog gardens and pond margins, where it forms large clumps from thick, creeping rhizomes. The iris flower has been traditionally regarded as a magical plant. The rhizome was once carried for financial gain or placed in cash registers to encourage prosperity.
How to identify
Iris versicolor produces upright, sword-shaped green leaves and elegant purple iris flowers marked with a distinctive yellow blotch. The blue flag flowers appear from May to July on tall stems above the foliage, creating a bold display that makes it easy to distinguish from bearded iris or Siberian iris plants. As the plant matures, its spreading habit results in dense, eye-catching clumps.
How to grow
Blue Flag Iris grows best in full sun and consistently moist to wet soils, making it ideal for bog gardens, pond margins, and other damp areas of the garden. It can be planted directly into the ground or into aquatic baskets and will spread steadily via rhizomes once established. Although vigorous, it is easy to manage by dividing clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and flowering.
