Blue Flag Iris
Thrives in Zones 3-9
Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects
Cleanses and purifies water naturally
Beautiful, elegant blooms in spring
Ships in
November 2025This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery
Bloom Season
Summer
Bloom/Foliage Color
Blue
Height at Maturity
Over 12"
Care
Blue Flag Iris thrives in moist, well-drained soil and requires regular watering. Ensure the soil remains consistently damp, especially during hot weather. Mulch near the plant to maintain moisture and prevent weeds. Prune spent flowers to promote new blooms.
Plant Reproduction
Blue Flag Iris spread by rhizomes and self-seeding
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Perennials, Tubers, and Bulbs
Bare root perennials, tubers, and bulbs are an easy and economical way to jumpstart your garden with lasting beauty. These dormant plants should be planted in early spring or fall while the soil is cool and workable. Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a location based on the plant’s light needs—most flowering types prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade.
For bare root perennials, dig a shallow hole and spread the roots out naturally, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. For tubers and bulbs, plant with the pointed side facing up at a depth about two to three times their height. Cover with soil, gently press down, and water thoroughly.
Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until new growth appears. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the crown or bulb tops. Once established, these plants require little maintenance—just seasonal watering, occasional dividing, and deadheading or pruning as needed. With proper care, they’ll return and thrive year after year.
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Ideal for Water Gardens:
Thrives in wet conditions, making it perfect for ponds and boggy areas. Its lush, colorful blooms enhance the aesthetic of water gardens and naturalistic landscapes
Elegant Foliage:
Features slender, sword-like leaves that add a graceful texture to your garden. The foliage complements the striking blooms and enhances the overall design.
Cold Hardy:
Resilient in colder climates and withstands frost. Ensures that your garden remains beautiful throughout the changing seasons.
Colorful Contrasts:
Blue Flag Iris features yellow "accessories" throughout June and July, with yellow patches and veins contrasting beautifully with deep blue and violet petals. This striking combination enhances its compatibility with other similarly colored flowers in your garden.
Blue Flag Iris – Stunning Perennial for Wet Gardens
The Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) is a sun-loving, rhizomatous perennial and forms a distinct cluster of bright-green, blade-like leaves. Each cluster produces multiple long-stemmed flowers. The flowers in combination with their gently curving leaves creates a graceful persona in the garden.
With its vibrant violet-blue flowers, it is no surprise that this plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This semi-aquatic plant will bring a menagerie of bustling pollinators to any wet area of your garden or the edge of your water feature. Nestle these water-loving flowers in between accent rocks next to your stream, or next to the gazebo that overlooks your pond. They are a vibrant addition to your garden-scape.
Plant Details – Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris)
Family: Iridaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light Requirement: Full sun, partial shade
Water Needs: Medium to wet
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 2-2.5 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom Time: Late May to June
Flower Color: Violet-blue with a blotch of yellow
Wildlife Value: Attracts pollinators
The Blue Flag Iris is native to the Northeastern USA and commonly found in wetlands and the edges of marshes and bogs. They are considered semi-aquatic plants. It will not tolerate shaded environmental; however, it can do well in partial sun.
This flower holds a special place in the heart of TN Nursery, as the Iris is Tennessee’s state flower. If you live in and love Tennessee, add this delightful flower to your garden to remind you of your beautiful home state!
Garden Uses & Care Tips for Blue Flag Iris
These plants will spread to form colonies of irises and can spread to fill an area in which you need full plant coverage. After midsummer, you can propagate this plant by division. TN Nursery recommends that you do so every 3 years to prevent crowding.
These plants are low maintenance and do not require fertilization after establishment, however they do appreciate bone meal just after planting. They thrive in moist, acidic soil with ample humus. Due to their robust rhizomes, they are particularly useful for erosion control. You can plant these with a native wetland perennial mix to further attract pollinators to your garden!
Key Benefits & Pollinator Value of Blue Flag Iris
Attractive to pollinators, erosion control in moist areas, low-maintenance.
These elegant perennials are an excellent addition to your wetland moist area of your garden. Shop for Blue Flag Irises online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.
Customer Reviews
Bought these and planted them one fall around 2 years ago. They have established well and got blooms this spring. So happy I purchased these!
Good healthy plants. Glad I ordered them. Thanks.
Very large healthy bulbs and fast shipping! Can't wait for them to bloom!
Look healthy
I received my box with my Blue Flag Iris Plants from TN Nursery and after opening I found 6 beautiful, healthy green plants. They were nice and moist at the rootball and looked like they had just been dug up. I’m very happy with my order and will definitely order from TN Nursery again!