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Japanese Water Iris, Japanese Flag, Russian Iris 'Hegira'

Iris ensata

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Family

Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)

Info

Genus

Iris (EYE-ris)

Info

Species

ensata (en-SA-tuh)

Info

Synonym

Iris kaempferi

Hybridized

Innerst

Registered or introduced

1985

Height

24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing

15-18 in. (38-45 cm)

18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness

USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)

USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)

USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)

USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)

USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)

USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)

USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)

USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)

USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Sun Exposure

Full Sun

Danger

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color

Gold (yellow-orange)

Dark Blue

White/Near White

Foliage

Herbaceous

This plant is resistant to deer

Smooth

Class

Japanese (JI)

Bloom Time

Midseason (M)

Other Details

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods

By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting

N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

Soil pH requirements

5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)

5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

Patent Information

Non-patented

Awards (if applicable)

Unknown - Tell us

Foliage Color

Blue-Green

Bloom Characteristics

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Water Requirements

Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens

Where to Grow

Can be grown as an annual

Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Grosse Ile, Michigan

Cicero, New York

Southold, New York

Coshocton, Ohio

Richmond, Virginia

Vancouver, Washington

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Japanese Water Iris, Japanese Flag, Russian Iris 'Hegira'

Iris ensata

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