How about an iris with fabulous foliage? In March and April the new upright leaves of Iris versicolor ‘Purple Flame’ emerge a breathtaking dark, eggplant purple. The purple slowly fades to green by early summer. Large purple-blue flowers then take over the show. Grows in average, moist, or wet soils.
Grow in medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. This iris may be grown in up to 2-4″ of shallow standing water (muddy bottom or containers), or in moist shoreline soils or in constantly moist humusy soils of a border. Propagate by division after bloom. Wear gloves when dividing the rhizomes. After fall frost, plant leaves may be trimmed back to about 1″ above the crown. Will naturalize to form colonies in the wild.
| Common Name | Variegated Blue Flag Iris |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Iris versicolor ‘Purple Flame’ |
| Container/Amount | 1 gallon |
| Evergreen or Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Hardiness Zone | 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Light Requirements | Part shade, Part-sun, Sun |
| Height | 2 to 3' |
| Width | 2 to 3' |
| Soil Condition | Wet Soils |
| Water Needs | Average to wet |
| Blooming Period | mid to late spring |
| Flower Color | purple |
| Fragrance | No |
| Foliage Color | Emerges purple, matures green |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
