Iris ensata 'Loyalty'

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese water iris 'Loyalty'
Japanese water iris 'Loyalty' visionspictures.com
Plants for pollinators
Bogs Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming perennial to 90cm in flower, erect, strap-like green leaves bearing large deep purple-violet, double flowers with contrasting yellow centres, in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist to wet, deep, humus-rich, acid soil, plant rhizomes 7.5cm deep; it thrives at the margins of ponds or streams, but avoid winter waterlogging

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes after flowering from midsummer to early autumn every three years

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

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

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, iris thrip and iris sawfly

Diseases

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