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Of the manynative iris typesfrom the Iridaceae family in North America , Iris versicolor(EYE - ris VER - suh - kuh - lor ) is one of the most noted . This herbaceous perennial is the official blossom of Québec , Canada , and is found grow naturally from Manitoba to Nova Scotia in the N , and Virginia to Minnesota in the south .
This industrial plant croak by several nicknames , admit :
The Good Book “ flag ” in the common name is derived from the Middle English wordflagge , which mean vibrating reed or rush , and is a reference to its habit of thrive in stand water supply .
A similar species , the southerly grim sword lily ( Iris virginica ) , is less kind of water system in winter and grow in the warm region of the United States .
Large Blue Flag Care
Size & Growth
In garden , a blueish flag is a clippety-clop flower that grow to 2 ’ to 3 ’ feet tall and across-the-board . However , in ideal growing condition , the elevation may be as tall as 4 ’ feet .
The sword - mold green leaf are 20 ” to 40 ” inch long and up to 2 ” column inch wide , with striking veins and a William Green to greyish green colouration .
They be given to come up in a rough devotee shape from the cornerstone , eventually drooping from their own weightiness .
A few short leaves may also come out on the stem but are wholly absent from the flower stalks .
Flowering and Fragrance
This iris blossom in May and June , but bloom clock time can last well into August in the right condition . It ’s best known for bear purple - blue flowers , although the bloom coloring material can vagabond between blue , deep profane , reddish blue , purple , and on rare occasions white .
They feature purple veins and a yellowed and blanched patch at the center .
The flowering lean to have 2 ” to 4 ” in broad flowers per chaff . It has three larger drooping petals known as sepals and three shorter , upright petals have it off as standards . A gland at the base of the petal produces nectar .
A 1 ½ ” inch long capsule form in the middle of the flower , hold two rows of brown , D - shaped seeds on each side . The condensation eventually open up , reserve the iris seedsto be wind - seeded .
Light & Temperature
Violet blue flag loves either full sun or part subtlety , although too much tone may prevent flowering .
The plant life thrives in USDA hardiness zone 2 to 7 , although a picayune mulch layer towards winter will help protect young specimen from the cold .
Watering and Feeding
As a bare aquatic industrial plant , the blue sword lily is quite easy in atmospheric condition standardized to the sedge and wet meadow it come from . High soil wet or humidness allows the plant to grow in less swampy surroundings .
As part of a water feature , it can stand in water as deep as 6 ” inch . Be sure to direct mulch around the plant life to keep the soil moist when develop aside from water .
Rich , constitutional soils are good for this industrial plant , and adding compost every spring is one of the right ways to feed this iris .
Soil & Transplanting
While Iris versicolor prefers rich , loamy soil , it can adapt to most type of soil so long as they ’re kept moist or wet .
Grooming And Maintenance
This industrial plant does n’t require much maintenance , although damage , morbid , or numb part should be dispatch in the tumble to aid in overwintering .
Recommended Reading On Iris
How To Propagate Purple Iris
The seeds of the blue iris need to be stratified by a period of cold pic before they ’ll germinate .
In nature , the ejaculate spread and overwinter , but you’re able to emulate this process by refrigerate germ in a container or damp wrap .
It ’s unspoilt to sow them in the fall , as they require a lower limit of 120 days before they ’ll burgeon forth . Simply receive a sheltered place in the garden and cover in ⅛ ” inch of compost .
you may also artificially rouse the seeds by soaking them in quick water for 24 hour , allowing the water to cool during the process . Seeds generally take between 30 and 180 days to sprout .
Seedlings must be kept damp and indoor plant life should be potted once they are tumid enough to handle . Plant seedling ½ to ¾ ” inches deep .
The plant life will also ego - germ or create colonies through spread rootstalk if left alone . you’re able to gently split the rootstalk to propagate manually before recent natural spring so long as you jade gloves .
Iris Versicolor Blue Pests or Diseases
Both the rhizome and rootstocks are skin irritants and gently toxic if ingested . Symptoms include abdominal pain , diarrhea , pyrexia , sickness , and cast . The plant is poisonous to both livestock and pets .
The flora is deer tolerant . It is also flood - immune , able to hold up total submergence for abbreviated periods of meter . It ’s mildly drought liberal .
There are few pest or disease problems with this plant . TheIris Boreris one of the most serious insect pests .
Suggested Blue Flag Uses
Blue flag soaks up excess nutrients from any water source it grows in , allowing it to improve water quality . It attract a broad range of wildlife and pollinator , including bees , birds , and hummingbird .
The rootstock , while mildly toxic , is dried and used in traditional Native American practice of medicine as a cathartic and diuretic in cautiously controlled amounts .
The rhizome is also used in essence while the leaves grow tannic acid for lifelike dyes . The two outermost fibers of the leaves can be spun into a very ok , gamey - quality string used in Native American crafts .
As a garden plant , it excels as a border for body of water lineament or in pelting garden . The role of flag as a symbol of their namesake Hellenic goddess who delivered message using rainbow also make this industrial plant perfect for Classical - theme garden display .
