Blue Flag ( Iris Versicolor )

Blue Flag Iris

Blue Flag matures to 24-36" in height and grows best in wet soil conditions. It may also do well in other soil conditions once it is established. Blue flag Iris prefers full sun to partial shade and blooms around May, June, and July.It has deep blue to purple flowers, that are complex and very showy. The foliage is sword like and flat. It is poisonous to humans and livestock and it attracts butterflies and Hummingbirds, It is an excellent plant for the garden, and useful in water gardens and bog gardens. If you live in the south try using Iris Virginica. Both are native wildflowers of North America. Blue Flag Yellow Flag Another Flag Iris is the Yellow Flag that is not native To North America. Yellow Flag is considered a noxious weed in some states and in other countries. Yellow Flag is a perennial plant that grows 39 - 59" and has even been known to reach up to 6' 7" tall. The leaves are erect and reach up to 3 feet tall and are about an inch and a half wide. The flowers are bright yellow about 3 to 4 inches wide and have a typical Iris form. The seed pods contain numerous pale brown seeds. Yellow Flag grows best in wet conditions and is often common in wetlands, where it tolerates submersion and can tolerate prolonged dry conditions. The plant spreads quickly by both rhizome and water dispersed seed. This is why it can become an invasive plant. It produces a resin that can cause skin irritation and it will sicken livestock if ingested.