Blue flag

Iris versicolor | Also known as: Harlequin Blueflag, Larer blue flag, American water iris | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

The blue flag iris only stands 3 ft tall, but proudly flies its colours

Iris versicolor is a clump forming herbaceous perennial. Also known as blue flag iris, it flowers in the summer and produces branched stems that bear several deep purplish-blue blooms, which have white veining for additional interest. Blue flag iris should be placed in full sun and grown in rich, acidic soil that’s moist and poorly drained. It’s an ideal rain garden and marsh plant that works well when grown on the edge of a pond. For gardens that have no pond and alkaline soil, blue flag iris can be grown in containers of water to create ideal growing conditions.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • yes
Dangers: comments
  • Avoid eating this plant, or you may have severe stomach upset. Its sap may irritate your skin.
Height [m]
  • 0.2 - 0.8
Spread [m]
  • 0.4
Dominant flower colour
  • Violet
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
Foliage in spring
  • Green
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • division
Growth habit
  • Compact
  • Erect
Environment
Acidity
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z3-9
Heat zone
  • H9-1
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -40 - -1
Heat days
  • 0 - 150
Moisture
  • poorly-drained
  • boggy
  • water feature
Soil type
  • sandy
  • Clay
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Aquatic & semiaquatic plants
  • Semiaquatic plants
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • For Beginners
  • Colours
  • Show-offs
  • Pond plants
  • Roses & classics
  • Tough survivors
Garden type
  • Bog garden
  • Cottage garden
  • Pond
Garden spaces
  • Flower beds
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 2 to 5 years
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