Iris versicolor
Blue flag
Iridaceae
Aquatic, Flowers
IRISA large and remarkably diverse group of 200 to 300 species, varying in flower color and form, cultural needs, and blooming periods (although the majority flower in spring or early summer). Leaves are swordlike or grasslike. Flowers (fragrant, in many kinds) are showy and complex in structure.
Iris versicolorLooks something like Siberian iris, with 1 1/2- to 4-ft., grassy foliage; narrow leaves are thicker in the center but not ribbed. Shorter growing forms have upright leaves, but foliage of taller types may recurve gracefully. The typical wild flowers are a light violet blue, but lighter and darker forms exist; a wine red variant has been sold as ‘Kermesina’. Named selections include pink ‘Rosea’ and ‘Vernal’, as well as others with flowers in violet red. Specialty growers offer hybrids between I. versicolor and other species such as I. ensata, I. laevigata, and I. virginica. Violet-flowered ‘Gerald Darby’, a hybrid with I. virginica, has striking wine red stems.
Rhus glabra
Native to much of North America. Upright grower to 10 ft., sometimes treelike to 20 ft. Spreads widely...
Eupatorium purpureum
From eastern U.S. Grows to 3–9 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wide, with clump of hollow stems set with...
Iris versicolor
Looks something like Siberian iris, with 1 1/2- to 4-ft., grassy foliage; narrow leaves are thicker in...
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