Iris versicolor is a graceful, sword-leaved plant, with showy, down-curved, violet, boldly veined sepals. Similar to the garden iris this aquatic plant is an easy to grow and beautiful looking perennial with deep green foliage and blue-violet flowers on 2ft stalks.
Sometimes referred to as Harlequin Blueflag, Water iris, Flag Lily or Fleur-de-lis, this elegant iris will add a long season of beauty to your garden or water feature. After flowering in late May and June, the sword-like foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.

Blue Flag Iris is tolerant of an extreme range of cultural conditions. Established plants are quite drought tolerant, or you can grow in the wettest part of your garden and they will still flourish. They are extremely hardy, require little maintenance and are absolutely spectacular in bloom

Iris versicolor has been awarded the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Sowing: Sow from Autumn to Spring
Keep the seeds in packaging in a fridge until they are planted. Seeds need cold in order to be able to germinate. There are two methods that can be used to break the dormancy of the seeds. Before planting soak the seeds in water. Take one cup of hot (not boiling) tap water, add the seed, let it cool and let soak for 24 hours.

The Natural Method.
One way is to “Winter Sow” the seeds. Sow seeds in moisture retentive compost 6mm (1/8th) inch deep, before winter, and place it in a sheltered part of the garden exposed to the elements, in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. The seed trays then have the benefits of the repeated chill and thaw that it would naturally. Grit can be used to protect the seed and surface of the soil.

Hastening Germination:
The alternative method is to subject them to a period of cold “stratification” for two to three months prior to planting. To do this, place the seeds either in a dampened piece of kitchen roll, in a small plastic bag or in a small container filled with slightly moist soil, moss or sand
Place them in the fridge (not freezer) Check seeds periodically as germination may occur while in the fridge. Plant out into 7cm (3in) pots as they germinate.

Seeds may take from 30 to 180 days to germinate, so let the pot sit for at least one year.
They look a little like grass spikes, they must be kept moist at all times: check them regularly and pot on once they are large enough to handle. Grow seedlings in a cool environment after germination. Plant outside after seedlings have been hardened off.

Position:
Iris are easily cultivated, they enjoy moist growing conditions. For best blooming plant in moist fertile soil if in full sun, otherwise they can be planted in shade.

Cultivation:
Once established these are very hardy perennials and require little maintenance.
Plants require two years before they will produce flowers but they are well worth the wait. Established plants should be divided after every three years. Before and after planting and flowering, cut the leaves to 15cm (6in) to prevent the rhizome being dislodged by wind-rock.

Plant Uses:
Beds and Borders, Water Features, Ponds and Streams, Bog Gardens.
This Iris is one of the easiest, and showiest, of native aquatics for the home gardener.

Other Uses:
The roots of Iris are used to make natural dyes. When used with an alum mordant will give shades of dark bluish purple to black.
The root was formerly used medicinally although it has today been identified as poisonous.
The rhizomes are the commercial source of Iridin.

Origin:
Iris versicolor is native of Eastern Canada and the northern United States. It is found from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Florida and Arkansas. It is common in sedge meadows, marshes, and along stream banks and shores.

Nomenclature:
Pronounced EYE-ris VER-suh-kuh-lor
The iris's history is rich, dating back to Ancient Greek times. Iris was a Greek messenger-goddess who rode rainbows between heaven and earth to deliver messages from Olympus. With over 200 varieties in a wide spectrum of colours, the iris fittingly takes its name from the Greek word for "rainbow".
The species name 'versicolor' is Latin meaning diversely or changeably coloured.
Commonly known as the Harlequin Blueflag, Larger Blue Flag, Northern Blue Flag and other variations of these names. The name flag is from the middle English flagge, meaning rush or reed.
The blue flag is the provincial flower of Quebec, having replaced the Madonna lily which is not native to the province.
Many modern hybrids have been developed in a wide range of colours, but the most common still remain blue, white and yellow.