Japanese Water Iris, Japanese Flag, Russian Iris 'Katy Mendez'

Iris ensata

Family
Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Iris (EYE-ris)
Species
ensata (en-SA-tuh)
Synonym
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 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
Blue-Violet
Foliage
Herbaceous
Class
Japanese (JI)
Bloom Time
Midseason (M)
Other Details
Other details
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)
Honorable Mention
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
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
Regional

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

Mystic, Connecticut

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
Mystic, CT | June 2011 | positive

This was my first Japanese Iris. I bought it not even knowing what kind of iris it was. It's grown beautifully in my front yard for over ...Read More

J
J
Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) | July 2008 | neutral

Awards: Honorable Mention 1991

Featured
Musschia Species
(Musschia wollastonii)
Horned Treehopper
(Cebes transiens)
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
Featured
Musschia Species
(Musschia wollastonii)
Horned Treehopper
(Cebes transiens)
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)