Common name: English iris

Family name: Iridaceae

Description: Bulbous perennial reaching 60cm tall with showy purple/blue flowers and narrow lanceolate leaves.

Flower: each flower has 3 spreading, rounded fall petals and 3 upright “standard” petals; flowers are deep purply blue with a yellow stripe; flowers appear in mid summer and last 3-4 weeks.

Foliage: long, narrow leaves emerge first and expand until the flowering stems emerge, then the leaves die back.

Growing conditions: likes moist conditions; sun

Height and spread: flowering stems are approx. 40 cm tall with 2-3 flowers; leaves are up to 60cm long

Limitations: likes moist conditions, so cannot be planted in an unirrigated landscape in Vancouver.

Landscape uses: ornamental, showy flowers should be planted close to pathways so people can enjoy the blooms; near water i.e. a pond or water feature; suits an informal garden or woodland, meadow, or grassy landscape, as well as a more formal garden; growing Iris latifolia among grasses has the advantage of concealing the yellowing leaves as they die back while the flowers are still in bloom.