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Sword-Leaved Iris Iris ensata

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-riss EN-sah-tah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

This is a perennial beardless iris native to Asia from Siberia to Japan in the herbaceous perennial Iridaceae family. Japanese Irises prefer a sunny site but tolerate partial shade. They are best grown on water edges in damp, rich, acidic soil with abundant moisture during the growing season. They can even withstand periods of standing water, but in the winter plants do not tolerate saturated soil or standing water. For best results, remove the plants from the water garden in the fall, or plant rhizomes in pots about halfway in damp ground and then remove to dryer ground for the fall and winter. Blooms appear in mid-summer after bearded and Siberian irises. They produce a flatter flower of 3 to 6 inches with a foreshortened standard of one to several blooms on a stem up to 4 feet tall. Cultivars can be single or double in a variety of colors with striking markings. The rhizomes reproduce to create an increasing mass and should be divided about every three years after flowering has finished. New rhizomes can be planted in the spring or fall at about 1 to 2 inches deep and, unlike other irises, should be planted vertically with the growing tip pointed up. Japanese Iris make a showy presence in the garden and are excellent cut flowers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  

 

More information on Iris.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Dry Rock Stream Garden Small Water Features Container Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Agrippinella'
  • 'Anytus'
  • 'Raspberry Candy'
  • 'Sanda No Otome'
  • 'Silverband'
  • 'Taga Sode'
  • 'Variegata'
'Agrippinella', 'Anytus', 'Raspberry Candy', 'Sanda No Otome', 'Silverband', 'Taga Sode', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#water garden#ncemgva2018#summer flowers#deer resistant#pond garden#cutting garden#flowers midsummer#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Agrippinella'
  • 'Anytus'
  • 'Raspberry Candy'
  • 'Sanda No Otome'
  • 'Silverband'
  • 'Taga Sode'
  • 'Variegata'
'Agrippinella', 'Anytus', 'Raspberry Candy', 'Sanda No Otome', 'Silverband', 'Taga Sode', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#water garden#ncemgva2018#summer flowers#deer resistant#pond garden#cutting garden#flowers midsummer#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Iris
    Species:
    ensata
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Water garden, borders, flower beds, cut flowers
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia, Siberia, Japan and Eastern Europe
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer, wet soil; generally no diseases or insect pests
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Water Plant
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Butterfly-like, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards", with standards being smaller than the falls.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Strap-like leaves are up to 24 inches tall in a knife shape
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Insect Pests
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Nausea, salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin), Irisin, iridin, or irisine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds