Iris ensata | Japanese Clematis Iris
The Highlights
- Also known as the Japanese Clematis Iris, these varying coloured double flowers are often boldly marked. The foliage forms dense clumps
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Hardy perennials which flourish in sun or partial shade
- Ideal for growing in the shallow edges of your pond or on shallow planting shelves within it
- Irises are the perfect plants to encourage insects like damselflies and dragonflies to your pond, providing shelter and a sunny place to perch.
- Marginal plants soften and add interest to the borders of your pond and are also suitable for planting in bog gardens or moist soil borders.
- Harmful if eaten
The Highlights
- Also known as the Japanese Clematis Iris, these varying coloured double flowers are often boldly marked. The foliage forms dense clumps
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Hardy perennials which flourish in sun or partial shade
- Ideal for growing in the shallow edges of your pond or on shallow planting shelves within it
- Irises are the perfect plants to encourage insects like damselflies and dragonflies to your pond, providing shelter and a sunny place to perch.
- Marginal plants soften and add interest to the borders of your pond and are also suitable for planting in bog gardens or moist soil borders.
- Harmful if eaten
Care Guide
Excellent pest and disease resistance
Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for the Iris Sawfly - a pest whose larvae eat the foliage of waterside irises. They look like greyish-brown caterpillars up to 25mm long and initially eat v-shaped notches from the leaf margins before moving on to eat from the leaf tips downward. This isn't usually too serious and plants can recover, but it's a good idea to encourage predators like birds and ground beetles as well as regularly inspecting plants during the growing season and removing any larvae by hand.MORE
Full sun to partial shade
Position where the plants will receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily in spring/summer.
Clay or loam soil
Loam or clay soil is perfect. Any soil type will suit Irises as long as it is kept consistently moist.
Prune annually
After the foliage dies back in the autumn, cut back to just above the water surface. If trimming is left until the spring, take care not to damage any emerging shoots.
For more care tips and ideas visit our Knowledge page
Planting Calendar
- Best time to plant
- Harvest
- Flower