Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium
Soil Type: Sand-Loam, Loam, Loam-Clay
Height: 2 - 3 feet
Spread: 2 feet
Blooms: May, June, July
Root: Fibrous, Rhizomatous
Habitat: Wet to moist black soil prairies, Prairie swales, Open bottomland woodlands, Swamps, Fens, Edges of ponds and streams, Ditches
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Pond edge, Low area garden (moist garden area)
Complimentary Plants: Balsam Ragworts, Canada Anemone, Marsh Marigold,
Wildlife Value: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and long-horned bees, butterflies and skippers visit the flowers occasionally for nectar. Hummingbirds also visit the flowers.
Seed Origin: Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Germination Code: C(120), F
Iris versicolor - Northern Blue Flag Iris
Northern Blue Flag has deep blue to purple flowers, the foliage is sword-like, and the flowers are complex and very showy. This plant is typical of wetlands and bottomland habitats, so it grows best in wet to medium soil conditions. The iris has been admired for centuries. Mythologies of cultures from around the world refer to it. Modern-day interest in the iris is evident through its popularity in gardens everywhere and in the number of societies formed around this plant. There is even an iris on Quebec’s flag — the fleur-de-lis.