Scientific Name: Iris ensata
Common Name: Japanese water iris
Family Name: Iridaceae
Origin: S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Zone: Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 0.7 - 1.3m x 0.3 - 0.6m (height x width)
Habit: Upright
Form: Vase
Texture: Medium
Landscape Uses: Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Perennial border, Summer interest, Waterside planting
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil or Media: Humus rich
Leaves: Simple, Alternate, Soft flexible, Parallel venation, Elliptic, Ovate, Entire
Flowers: Raceme, Purple, Jun-Jul
Fruit: Capsule, Brown, Sep-Oct
Key ID Features:
Leaves long, narrow; flowers with 3 large flat, spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer.