Species blue flag
blue-purple flowers with green leaves and stems

blue flag

Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid'

The Blue Flag Iris (Iris Versicolor 'Bridesmaid') is a species of plant found in wetland environments such as marshes. It grows up to 4 feet tall and produces beautiful, deep blue flowers that are marked with a yellow and white Vega pattern in a 'V'-shape. These flowers attract different types of bees and butterflies, making them an excellent addition to any garden. The Blue Flag Iris is known for its versatility, with its easy maintenance and ample growth. Not to mention, it’s hardy to zones 3 to 9 meaning it can survive a wide variety of climates with very little special care.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Violet blue Flowers

Sun:

Full sun Partial sun

Soil:

Loamy Humus Rocky

Fruits:

brown Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Blue Flag (Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid') should be watered every 5-7 days during the summer months. During this time, water the soil deeply to ensure that it's moist but not soggy. During the spring and fall, the plant typically needs less water and should be watered every 10-14 days. During the winter months, reduce watering even further to about once a month. Be sure to check the soil periodically for moisture, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

sunlight

Blue flag (Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid') prefers full sun, but can also tolerate light shade in warmer climates (USDA Zones 3 - 8). This species prefers 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, especially when the temperatures are warmer. In more northern climates, blue flag varieties may benefit from some afternoon shade, as the intense afternoon sun can be too harsh. During the summer months, full sun is key to ensure healthy blooming.

pruning

Blue flag (Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid') should be pruned in the late summer or fall when the foliage of the plant has started to die back. Pruning should be done carefully, with the goal of removing dead or diseased foliage and flower stalks while leaving as much of the healthy foliage as possible. Prune back flower stalks to within a few inches of the base of the plant, and remove any dead or diseased leaves or stems. Depending on the size of your Blue flag plant, you may need to divide and replant it every 3-4 years in the fall. This will help promote healthy growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid' typically starts flowering in May.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Iris versicolor 'Bridesmaid' is in July and August.

Hardiness Map