Iris versicolor, commonly known as Blue Flag Iris or Northern Blue Flag, is a striking native perennial prized for its elegant blue-violet flowers, sword-like foliage, and ability to thrive in moist environments. Native to wet meadows, marshes, wetlands, and shoreline habitats of northeastern North America, this beautiful iris is an excellent choice for rain gardens, pond edges, wetland plantings, native gardens, and naturalized landscapes.
In late spring to early summer, Iris versicolor produces showy blue to blue-violet flowers marked with distinctive purple and yellow veining. The blooms rise above upright, sword-shaped green foliage and create a vibrant seasonal display. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, making Blue Flag Iris a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Blue Flag Iris performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist to wet, organically rich soil. It is particularly well suited to rain gardens, stream banks, pond margins, marshy areas, and other landscapes where soil moisture remains high. Its upright growth habit provides strong vertical structure and architectural interest in naturalized and wetland plantings.
With its beautiful blue-violet flowers, distinctive foliage, moisture-loving nature, and excellent pollinator value, Iris versicolor is an outstanding native perennial for gardeners looking to add color, texture, habitat, and ecological value to wet or moisture-rich landscapes.