Plant DetailShow Menu

Iris virginica is often confused with:
Iris tridentata Form
Iris versicolor Flower detail
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Iris versicolor Flower detail
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus
Typha latifolia Form
Iris virginica has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Southern Blue Flag Iris Iris virginica

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-riss vir-JIN-ih-kuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Southern blue flag iris is a lovely, delicate iris native to the United States and Canada, from the east coast to the middle states as far west as Texas. The genus name Iris is named after the Greek Goddess of rainbows and the species name refers to the state of Virginia where it is found.  The common name, "flag", comes from an old English word (flagge) for reeds and refers to its natural preference to wetlands.

Reaching a height of 2 to 2.5 feet clumps of bright green, somewhat droopy, strap shaped leaves are topped with light blue to violet flowers borne on naked stems in late spring.  The falls are marked with white and can be crested with yellow frill. 

It does best grown in moist to very wet, humusy to sandy soil and in boggy acidic areas in full sun.  Growing even in 6 inches of fresh standing water, it should not be permitted to dry out during the growing season.  These iris may be left in water over winter and can be used in pond borders of up to 6 inches deep.  It will tolerate light shade in the warmer regions of its range. Southern flag iris spreads slowly by rhizomes which can be divided for propagation as clumps form. This iris is deer resistant.

Mass plant this native along a pond margin, water garden, rain garden, or other low lying damp area of the landscape.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.  Watch for snails and slugs

More information on Iris.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Water Garden in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Iris x robusta Dark Aura'
    Hybrid between Iris versicolor and Iris virginica
'Iris x robusta Dark Aura'
Tags:
#bulb#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#small spaces#purple flowers#blue flowers#strappy leaves#low maintenance#riparian#wetlands#mass planting#standing water tolerant#low lying area#pond margins#NC native#spreading#deer resistant#pond garden#native water plant#flowers late spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flood tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Iris x robusta Dark Aura'
    Hybrid between Iris versicolor and Iris virginica
'Iris x robusta Dark Aura'
Tags:
#bulb#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#small spaces#purple flowers#blue flowers#strappy leaves#low maintenance#riparian#wetlands#mass planting#standing water tolerant#low lying area#pond margins#NC native#spreading#deer resistant#pond garden#native water plant#flowers late spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flood tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#boggy sites
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Iris
    Species:
    virginica
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Water Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from July to September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1 at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" with white marks and yellow crests, and 3 inner, erect "standards", variously colored light blue to violet. Blooms for 2-3 weeks in late spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Strap-like and have a pronounced midrib in the center are not as upright; they may lay over or fall into the water.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    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, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    irisin, iridin, or irisine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds