southern blue flag iris

Plant Type

Herbaceous Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

1-2.5 ft. tall
1-3 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Deer, Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Dry Soil

Propagation

By division

Plant Propagation Notes

Division by rhizomes.

Plant Planting Notes

It does best grown in moist to very wet, humusy to sandy soil and in boggy acidic areas in full sun.  Growing even in 6 inches of fresh standing water, it should not be permitted to dry out during the growing season.

Plants/Diseases

No serious problems.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects

Leaves

The linear basal leaves are gray-green blades with mature leaves exhibiting ribs.

Flowers

Large irregular flowers with 6 petals, approximately 1-3 inches across, borne singly per stem. Overall flowers are blue to purple/lavender, but the “falls” have white marks and yellow crests.

Fruit

Capsule with D-shaped seeds.

Bark

The green stems can be rather weak, often falling over after flowering.

Toxicity

Low toxicity when eaten.

 

USDA Hardiness Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun

Soil Moisture

Moist, Aquatic Plant

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Wetlands, margins of lakes and streams

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common in the SC Coastal Plain, rare in the Piedmont, and absent from the Mountains