Iris ensata 'Crystal Halo'

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese water iris 'Crystal Halo'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial Bogs

Has very large flowers, to 15cm across, deep purple with a white picotee edging and darker purple veining, the falls are overlapping

Position

Partial shade

Clay, Loam, Sand

0.5-1 metres

0.1-0.5 metres

Clay Loam Sand

Partial shade

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Name Status: Accepted

Grow in moist to wet, deep, humus-rich, acid soil; it thrives at the margins of ponds or streams

Propagate by division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn

Remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and thrips

May be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases