Iris ensata

Iris ensata (Japanese Water Iris, also known as Iris kaempferi) is a stunning clump-forming perennial native to Japan, valued for its large, bright, showy flowers that appear in early to mid-summer. This elegant iris features sword-shaped foliage and large violet-purple blooms often marked with delicate yellow stripes on the petals, creating a striking display above moist garden beds or pond edges.

This moisture-loving iris thrives around ponds, bog gardens, or moisture-retentive soils and is perfect for garden areas with consistently damp conditions. It flourishes in full sun to partial shade and prefers slightly acidic soils that retain moisture but provide good drainage. Japanese Water Iris is not a true aquatic plant but benefits from regular watering and can also be grown in containers suitable for wetter environments.

Key Features:

• Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 feet), Spread: 30–90 cm (1–3 feet)
• Large violet-purple flowers with yellow stripe detailing
• Blooms early to mid-summer
• Moisture-loving: ideal for bog gardens, pond margins, and water features
• Prefers full sun to partial sun
• Hardy in USDA zones 6-9
• Makes excellent cut flowers and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies
• Suitable for informal, cottage, and water garden styles

Growing Tips:

• Plant rhizomes in winter or early spring, spacing 18–36 inches apart with crowns just below soil level
• Maintain moist soil during growing season, reduce watering in winter dormancy
• Mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
• Apply slow-release fertilizer as shoots emerge
• Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor

Add the graceful elegance of Japanese Water Iris to your garden's wet areas or ponds for late-season colour and structure.