Iris ensata var. spontanea

RHS Plant Profile

spontaneous variety of Japanese water iris

RHS

Synonyms

Iris kaempferi var. spontanea

Herbaceous Perennial

A robust, clump-forming perennial growing to 1.2m tall witherect, narrow leaves and in summer, bright purple flowers with yellow marks on the falls

Full shade, Partial shade

Clay, Loam, Sand

1-1.5 metres

0.1-0.5 metres

Clay Loam Sand

Full shade Partial shade

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: Correct
Plant Range: Japan

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