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Iris japonica is often confused with:
Iris cristata Form
Iris tectorum Iris tectorum
Native alternative(s) for Iris japonica:
Iris cristata Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Epimedium sempervirens Epimedium sempervirens
Iberis sempervirens Iberis sempervirens
x Heucherella Heucherella
Iris japonica has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Shaga Iris japonica

Description

Japanse iris is an herbaceous perennial rhizomatous plant in the Iridaceae (iris) family.  It is an evergreen crested iris from Asia that can be used in the semi-shady woodland garden as a ground cover. It will spread quickly to cover an area. The showy blooms appear in April- May and range from white to pale blue to purple.

It is tolerant of a wide range of soil and pH types and needs good drainage in part shade. This drought-tolerant plant is generally avoided by deer and rabbits.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#rhizomes#groundcover
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#rhizomes#groundcover
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Iris
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China and Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Pale blue to purple to white 2-inch flowers with yellow or orange crests blooms April to May. The showy blooms are similar to orchid blooms. It has 2 pairs of petals, 3 large sepals (outer petals), known as the 'falls' and 3 inner, smaller petals
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Sword-shaped green basal leaves are 12-20 inches long. Margins are entire and the leaves are arching. Upper side is somewhat glossy and underside light dull green
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Thin green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits