Plants in genus iris
Iris lazica
Iris lazica is a beardless rhizomatous iris native to the Black Sea coast of Turkey and Georgia. It features broad evergreen leaves and pale lilac flowers that appear in late winter or early spring. This plant prefers moist conditions and tolerates some shade, making it suitable for woodland gardens.
Iris fulva
Iris fulva, a rhizomatous perennial, is native to the southern and central United States, known for its striking copper-red to deep red flowers. This plant thrives in moist, acidic soils and full sunlight, blooming from April to June. It is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds and attracts butterflies, adding vibrant color to wet grasslands and bog edges. Despite its beauty, it is listed as endangered in some states due to habitat loss.
Iris graminea
Iris graminea is a rhizomatous perennial native to southern Europe, known for its purple or violet-blue flowers with a plum-scented fragrance. It features grass-like leaves longer than its flowering stems and blooms in spring and summer. This plant prefers well-drained, fertile soils and full sun to partial shade.
Iris hexagona
Iris hexagona, part of the Louisiana iris hybrids, is native to the southeastern United States. It forms a 30-inch tall clump with wide foliage and produces 3-foot tall flower spikes with dark blue-purple flowers in early June. This rhizomatous perennial is adaptable to shallow water or moist soils and is known for its slight sandalwood fragrance. It thrives in full sunlight and moist, acidic soils.
Iris pseudacorus
Iris pseudacorus, also known as the yellow flag iris, is a medium-sized plant with bright yellow flowers and long, sword-like leaves. Native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, it thrives in both dry land and standing water, making it versatile for various garden settings. This iris is important for wildlife, providing habitat for endangered species like the corncrake in western Scotland. However, it can be invasive outside its native range. The plant is used in water treatment for nutrient uptake and can tolerate high salinity levels. Its petals and stem are toxic, so caution is advised when handling.
Iris versicolor
Iris versicolor, native to North America, is a herbaceous perennial commonly found in wetlands and along streambanks. It features striking blue flowers with a greenish-yellow blotch at the base, blooming from May to July. The plant grows up to 31 inches tall and forms large clumps from creeping rhizomes. Known for its adaptability, it can thrive in both standing water and dry land. Despite its beauty, the plant's sap can cause skin irritation, and its leaves and roots are toxic if ingested.
Iris prismatica
Iris prismatica is a native plant from Maine to Georgia, thriving in bogs and marshes. It forms rhizomatous clumps with narrow-petaled, violet-blue flowers that bloom in early May. This deer-resistant iris is cold hardy to USDA Zone 3 and attracts hummingbirds.
Iris verna var. smalliana
Iris verna var. smalliana is a native perennial of the southeastern United States, thriving in rocky woodlands. It forms a small mound of 6-8 inch tall leaves, with medium blue flowers featuring an orange throat on 8-inch tall stalks. This iris is well-suited for part sun to shade conditions and is resistant to rabbits.
Iris domestica
Iris domestica, also known as blackberry lily, is a perennial plant with orange petals adorned with crimson-red spots. It features fanned-out leaves and tall, clean stems, with seedheads that split to reveal blackberry-like seeds. This drought-tolerant plant attracts hummingbirds and pollinators, thriving in USDA zones 5 to 10. Its unique flowers and seedheads make it a standout addition to gardens.
Iris cristata
Iris cristata, a rhizomatous perennial native to the eastern United States, is known for its pale lavender flowers with a white patch and orange or yellow crest. This dwarf woodland iris blooms in spring and is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. It thrives in well-drained soils and semi-shaded positions, making it a tough plant for challenging conditions.
Iris unguicularis
Iris unguicularis is a winter-blooming plant native to regions like Greece and Turkey. It features pale lilac or purple flowers with a yellow central band and fragrant long perianth tubes. This evergreen plant thrives in dry, well-drained locations and is deer-resistant.
Iris milesii
Iris milesii is a crested iris native to the Himalayas, known for its adaptability to hot, humid conditions. It blooms in mid-May with dark purple veined falls and light lavender standards. This rhizomatous perennial prefers moist, rich, acidic soil and partial shade, making it a unique addition to temperate gardens.
Iris tectorum
Iris tectorum, commonly known as the roof iris, is a rhizomatous perennial native to China, Korea, and Burma. It is celebrated for its vibrant flowers in shades of blue and white, which bloom in spring and again in fall. The plant features sword-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves and can grow up to 18 inches tall. It thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9, preferring moist, well-drained soil and light shade to full sun. This iris is self-fertile and attracts pollinators, making it a valuable addition to gardens. It is also known for its use in traditional Chinese medicine, though parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. The roof iris is adaptable to various conditions, including dry shade and damp areas, and is often used in ornamental plantings and green roofs.
Iris douglasiana
Iris douglasiana is a common wildflower of coastal regions in Northern and Central California and southern Oregon. It grows mainly at lower elevations and is most common in grasslands near the coast. The plant features purplish-blue flowers, occasionally white or yellow, and blooms from April to June. Known for its ability to hybridize freely, it forms a compact clump and requires good drainage in high rainfall areas.
Iris foetidissima
Iris foetidissima, native to Western Europe, is a robust clump-forming plant with dark green evergreen foliage. It produces small tan and lavender flowers in spring and bright red fruits in fall. The leaves emit an unpleasant odor when crushed, and it prefers light shade and well-drained soil.
Iris setosa
Iris setosa is a dwarf clump iris with small dark violet flowers, native to Arctic regions and northeastern Asia. It blooms in shades of violet, purple-blue, and occasionally pink and white, from June to July. This rhizomatous perennial is hardy to USDA Zone 3-7 and prefers moist or wet soils.
Iris tridentata
Iris tridentata, a little-known bog iris, is native to the southeastern United States and thrives in wet habitats. It features thin green leaves and 2-foot tall stalks with medium lavender flowers that bloom in late May. This rhizomatous perennial prefers acidic soils and can grow in part-shaded areas. Its fragrant flowers and rapid growth make it a desirable plant for wetland gardens.
Iris virginica 'Carl Amason'
Iris virginica 'Carl Amason' is a 4-foot tall clone selected from the Ouachita River in Arkansas. It features mauvy-pink flowers and black-purple flower stalks, attracting hummingbirds and thriving in both garden soil and bogs.
Iris pallida 'Argentea Variegata'
Iris pallida 'Argentea Variegata' is a hardy perennial with ivory and green variegated foliage and fragrant lavender-blue flowers. It is deer and rabbit-resistant, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, and suitable for USDA zones 3-10.
Iris 'Picasso'
Iris 'Picasso' is a striking plant with lavender-purple flags and bronzy striped golden-yellow falls. This sweetly scented iris is pollinator-friendly and features vertical grass-like green foliage. It is ideal for use as cut flowers and container thrillers, thriving in full sun and partial shade. Fast-growing in fertile, well-drained soil, 'Picasso' is resistant to deer and juglone.
Iris germanica 'Attention Please'
Iris germanica 'Attention Please' is a striking iris with violet, white, and burgundy flowers featuring yellow beards. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. This clump-forming plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens.
Iris prismatica 'Rabun White'
Iris prismatica 'Rabun White' is a native plant from Canada to Georgia, discovered in Rabun County, GA. It has 2-foot tall foliage and narrow-petalled white flowers that bloom from mid-May through June.
Iris ensata 'Frilled Enchantment'
Iris ensata 'Frilled Enchantment' is a Japanese iris hybrid celebrated for its large, ruffled white flowers with a magenta rose border. It grows best in moist soils and reaches a height of 28 inches, blooming in late spring. This award-winning plant is a favorite among gardeners for its striking appearance and ability to attract butterflies.
Iris ensata 'Storm At Sea'
Iris ensata 'Storm At Sea' is a dramatic bicolor flower with large blue and violet blooms. It thrives in wet or normal garden soils and blooms in mid-spring, adding a striking presence to any garden.
Iris ensata 'Bellender Blue'
Iris ensata 'Bellender Blue' is a striking plant introduced in 1993, known for its huge dark blue-purple flowers. It grows in clumps up to 50 inches tall and prefers very moist soils, making it ideal for bog gardens.
Iris ensata 'Umi Botaru'
Iris ensata 'Umi Botaru' is a Japanese iris selection known for its large purple flowers with white flecks, blooming on 30-inch tall stalks in mid-June. This plant is durable in all but the driest soils and thrives in very moist conditions, making it an excellent choice for marginal aquatic settings. 'Umi Botaru' is a member of the Iris genus, known for its striking flowers and adaptability to various garden conditions. It is recommended to divide the plant every 3-4 years to maintain its vigor and appearance. This iris is a popular choice for rain gardens and water features, providing a splash of color and attracting butterflies. Its ability to thrive in moist conditions and its striking blooms make it a valuable addition to any garden looking to incorporate aquatic plants.
Iris unguicularis 'Winter Echoes'
Iris unguicularis 'Winter Echoes' is a winter-blooming iris introduced in 2011, known for its large, rich purple flowers with a prominent yellow eyezone. It starts flowering in November, pauses during the coldest months, and resumes as temperatures moderate.
Iris versicolor 'John Wood'
Iris versicolor 'John Wood' is a US native blue flag iris with striking black-purple base foliage in spring. It produces 42-inch stalks of flowers in mid-May, featuring violet falls with a yellow throat and pink zone. This award-winning iris grows well in garden soil or as a marginal aquatic, adding vibrant color to any landscape.
Iris sibirica 'Butter And Sugar'
Iris sibirica 'Butter And Sugar' is a clump-forming perennial with butter-yellow and white flowers that attract pollinators. This hardy plant grows under 3 feet tall and is resistant to deer and rabbits, thriving in full sun with moderate moisture needs.