Iris laevigata

Common Names

Japanese Iris, Water Iris, Rabbit-Ear Iris, Kakitsubata, Smooth Iris, Shallow Flowered Iris

Summary

True water iris is native to temperate Asia, including Japan. It is a rhizomatous perennial with erect sword-shaped leaves and rich blue to violet flowers about 3–4 inches wide. The crown is submerged in water year-round, thriving at pond or stream margins in organic, slightly acidic soil. It typically grows to about 0.5–1 m tall in clumps and blooms in late spring to early summer, often grown in large groupings for bouquet-like displays. It is deer-resistant.

Growing conditions include full sun to partial shade, with moisture-loving, consistently moist or wet soil. It does best in settings with 2–8 inches of water over soil, such as pond margins or damp borders. It propagates by division in mid-summer to early autumn. It is hardy in USDA zones 5–9 and suitable for ponds, bog gardens, borders, and large landscape plantings, where it provides a water-feature focal point and attracts hummingbirds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-3 feet

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun for best flowering and max bud count, tolerates partial sun, tolerates partial shade in hot summers, range from full sun to partial sun

Soil Type

Moist, humus-rich soil that is acidic to neutral (pH 5.8–7.0), preferably loamy or clay with high organic matter

Soil Drainage

Very wet; waterlogged soil.

Soil pH

5.5–7.0, Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Blue, purple, white

Bloom Time

Spring to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and hummingbirds