Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolor
The native iris for pond edges and rain gardens. Blue-violet flowers veined in yellow above sword leaves, spreading to hold banks in place.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The native iris for wet sites. ornate blue-violet flowers, structural sword foliage, and colony-forming habit that stabilizes stream banks and pond edges beautifully.
Blue Flag Iris is the native iris of wet places: ponds, rain gardens, stream margins, and wet ditches. The intricate blue-violet flowers with their yellow and white veining are as ornate as any garden iris, blooming in late spring in dense clusters above sword-like foliage. They're a classic element of the eastern wetland landscape, instantly familiar but genuinely beautiful on close inspection. It spreads by rhizomes to form dense colonies along water margins, providing superb erosion control on stream banks and pond edges. The upright sword leaves are attractive through the growing season and provide cover for frogs, dragonflies, and aquatic insects. One of the most ecologically useful natives for the water's edge, combining structural beauty with genuine function.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown blue flag iris propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant blue flag iris instead of Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus). invasive in wetlands. Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Moist
- Mature size
- 1.5–3 ft · 12–24 in wide
- Bloom time
- May–June
- USDA zones
- 3–9
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America. marshes, wet meadows, pond edges, and stream banks from Newfoundland to Manitoba south to Virginia and Arkansas
Care notes for blue flag iris.
Plant in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soil or at the water's edge. standing water up to 4 inches is tolerated. It performs best with consistent moisture and will tolerate temporary flooding. Divide rhizomes every three to four years in fall to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor. Remove old, dead foliage in spring. No deadheading required. Very low maintenance in an appropriate site.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside blue flag iris.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.