Live Japanese Iris Aquatic Marginal Pond/Bog Perennial Plant. Deer resistant!

Absolutely extraordinary! Nothing less could describe the incredible show this Japanese Iris puts on in early summer. Planted in ideal moist conditions in our trial garden, these majestic plants grew to a tall, stately height of 4' and was in full bloom in mid-June (early summer) here in Michigan.

The gigantic 7-8" flowers were fully double, with standards and falls much larger than the species.  Each petal displays a wide, grape purple edge that feathers into the pure white center. A small sunshine yellow signal is tucked down into the base of each widely ruffled petal.

Unlike the Tall Bearded Iris, the beardless Japanese Iris has a flat bloom, narrower leaves, and smaller, more compact rhizomes. They have the largest flowers of all irises, and make wonderful spring accents for the edge of water gardens.  Japanese irises are the latest to bloom, about a month after the Siberian irises.

Height:

3.0-4.0 Feet

Spread:

24.0-28.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Purple shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Hummingbirds

Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Rabbit Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Rapid

Garden Style:

Asian

Cottage

Eclectic

Other Features:

Border Plant

Cut Flower

Mass Planting

Specimen

Focal Point

Above all else, no other factor is a greater influence on Japanese Irises than water. A lack of moisture will stunt the plants and flowers, while a consistent supply of water will result in large, healthy plants with large flowers. They are lovely planted beside ponds or near streams where the water table is high, but not covering the roots. Mulch the plants heavily to ensure that the soil never dries out.

Japanese Irises should be planted in heavy, acidic, rich soil that has been amended with compost or manure. For new plantings, do not add granular fertilizer around your newly planted irises. Instead, add the fertilizer to the soil a month or two before planting the Japanese Irises. Once established, fertilize them in early spring and again right after they are finished blooming.

Most Japanese Irises require division every 3-4 years. When dividing mature clumps in spring or fall, it is best to dig up the entire clump and replant the divisions somewhere else in the garden where Japanese Irises have not been grown before. The rhizomes should be planted 2-3 inches deep. New roots form above the old roots each year, so by the time you can see the roots growing at the soil surface, it's time to divide them again.