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Japanese Iris

Iris Ensata

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Overview

The Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) is a striking perennial with showy, ruffled blooms ranging from pure white to deep purple, often with intricate veining. Thriving in full sun to part shade, these irises prefer acidic, moist soils, and excel near water features. Reaching 24-36 inches in height with a spread of 18-24 inches, they add vertical interest and a touch of elegance to any garden setting. Blooms emerge in late spring to early summer.

Sun HalfWater MediumZones 4–9Type PerennialClimate Temperate
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — also revered as the Japanese Water Iris
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — Blooms emerge in late spring to early summer; save for the consistent soil moisture, image 59Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — Reaching 24-36 inches in height with a spread of 18-24 inches; they add vertical interest and a touch of elegance to, image 135Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — typically in late spring to early summer; their color palette ranges through various shades of purple, image 121Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — whereas dividing the clumps every 3 to 4 years will maintain the vigor of the plant; ruffled blooms ranging from pure, image 75Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — ruffled blooms ranging from pure white to deep purple; this perennial showcases flowers that can span up to 6 to 8, image 132Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — ruffled blooms ranging from pure white to deep purple; this perennial showcases flowers that can span up to 6 to 8, image 54+128

Culture

Sun
Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Iridaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (135)

Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — also revered as the Japanese Water Iris
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — Blooms emerge in late spring to early summer; save for the consistent soil moisture, image 59
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — Reaching 24-36 inches in height with a spread of 18-24 inches; they add vertical interest and a touch of elegance to, image 135
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — typically in late spring to early summer; their color palette ranges through various shades of purple, image 121
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — whereas dividing the clumps every 3 to 4 years will maintain the vigor of the plant; ruffled blooms ranging from pure, image 75
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — ruffled blooms ranging from pure white to deep purple; this perennial showcases flowers that can span up to 6 to 8, image 132
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — ruffled blooms ranging from pure white to deep purple; this perennial showcases flowers that can span up to 6 to 8, image 54
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — requiring acidic to neutral soil that is consistently moist or even boggy; reaching 24-36 inches in height with a, image 120
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — providing a captivating display after many other spring flowers have faded
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — this perennial showcases flowers that can span up to 6 to 8 inches across; deadheading the spent blooms can encourage, image 89
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — this perennial showcases flowers that can span up to 6 to 8 inches across; deadheading the spent blooms can encourage, image 63
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — It's noteworthy that the plant is deer-resistant, which adds to the list of its appealing attributes; where it can, image 125
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — perennial for half; whereas dividing the clumps every 3 to 4 years will maintain the vigor of the plant, image 78
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — perennial with lavender and multi-colored and purple and white blooms; requiring acidic to neutral soil that is consistently
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — providing a captivating display after many other spring flowers have faded; this iris is a low-maintenance option, image 96
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — Their color palette ranges through various shades of purple
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — requiring acidic to neutral soil that is consistently moist or even boggy
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — Reaching 24-36 inches in height with a spread of 18-24 inches; they add vertical interest and a touch of elegance to, image 57
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — save for the consistent soil moisture
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — also revered as the Japanese Water Iris; the Japanese Iris (Iris ensata), image 61
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — It thrives in hardiness zones 4 through 9
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — this iris is a low-maintenance option that requires minimal care once established; perennial for half, image 123
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — where it can bask in at least six hours of sunlight daily
Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata) — perennial for half; whereas dividing the clumps every 3 to 4 years will maintain the vigor of the plant
Photographs by 16 contributors

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