Japanese Iris
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Formerly known as I. kaempferi, but now known as I. ensata, these plants are, with I. laevigata, the oldest iris cultivars. They were described by a poet in the 12th Century, while cultivation and breeding certainly occurred in the 17th Century. They are closely associated with water, but are best grown at the damp edges or streams or ponds, rather than actually in the water. In flower beds they need plenty of water from the first signs of growth in March until flowering is over in July. Although their height is fairly consistent at around 90-100cm (35”-40”) flower size and form varies, but the characteristic shape is rather flat with all the petals in one plane. Colours vary from whites to reds, from blues to violets, but there is no natural yellow, and patterns vary from solid colour to one overlaying another in stripes, dots and dashes. They are members of the beardless group of iris.
Anne Blanco White
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