Blue Flag Wild Iris, Quebec’s Floral Emblem

Iris versicolor, commonly called northern blue flag, is a clump-forming iris that is native to marshes, swamps, wet meadows, ditches, and shorelines from Manitoba to Nova Scotia. It became the floral emblem of Quebec only in 1999, after a tumultuous series of events. It has deep blue to purple flowers, the foliage is sword-like, and the flowers are complex and very showy. Iris flowers are known to symbolize power, with the three petals representing wisdom, faith, and courage. The petals smell like violets and have been used to make perfumes and potpourri.

The iris has a worldwide distribution, occurring throughout the Northern Hemisphere in temperate regions. It is native to Canada and is found in Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec, Massachusetts and Nova Scotia. In the United States it is found in the south-eastern states from Maine to Florida. In Europe it occurs from Ireland to Scandinavia and Russia.

Attracting Pollinators

The blooms contain nectar and pollen that attract hummingbirds, bumblebees, butterflies, moths and more. It also serves as shelter for animals that live along shorelines.

Where to Plant

Blue flag iris’ natural habitat is ponds or water gardens with sunny places. They love water, so plant in wet areas. They can also be submerged under water for a while and still survive. The Blue Flag Iris is a charming addition to any garden’s wet areas. It is a perennial with violet-blue blooms that bloom in late spring and early summer. The violet sepals are down-curved and veined with yellow and white, and the blooms are 2.5 to 4 inches broad.

Companion plant suggestions include Asclepias incarnata and Carex muskingumensis.

Caring for Blue Flag, Wild Iris

Blue flag iris prefer moist to wet soil conditions. Place it in a wet spot, a well-mulched garden, or in the shallows of a pond to keep its roots moist. Water periodically and mulch upon planting if they are not planted in a swampy or damp location. They can withstand drought.

Pruning Iris versicolore

Blooms usually last 2-3 days, so it is recommended you dead head the wilted blooms to ensure new growth.

You can remove dead flower stalks with scissors as well as any dead flower heads, just to keep the plant looking nice. Make sure to only prune when the foliage is becoming yellow. The leaves help store energy for the plant’s rhizomes and so they should not be cut early.

After fall frost, plant leaves may be trimmed back to about 1” above the crown.

Propagating Iris versicolor

In nature, Blue flag iris forms colonies via self-seeding and creeping rhizomes. They should be propagated through division after 2-3 years of growth to keep them under control. Propagate via division after they have finished blooming. When propagating, use gloves; be cautious since the rhizomes are very toxic and can cause skin irritation.

When propagating by seeds, compress them into the soil, but do not bury them.

Toxicity

Their roots are dangerously poisonous to both humans and livestock. Rhizomes (thickened roots) and rootstocks, fresh or dry. Minor skin irritation when touched, low toxicity if ingested. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap

Irises have been used medicinally in the past, despite its highly poisonous rootstocks. Some tribes used the fibres of the leaves to spin strong, fine twine.

Other

Prone to damage from rabbit, vole and other small mammals. Slugs and snails frequent the Iris as well. Leaf-chewing caterpillars, sap-sucking aphids, whiteflies and spider mites are common iris pests. Holes in the leaves or chewed leaves are signs of caterpillars. You can get rid of aphids by mixing a little bit of dishsoap and water and spraying the leaves every 2-3 days for about 2 weeks.