Enhance your understanding of the abundant blue iris flower with our informative guide. Understand its symbolism, learn how to grow it, and discover its wide varieties.
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It’s no wonder why the blue Iris has become a symbol of strength, faith, and wisdom throughout many cultures.This magnificent flower boasts a rich history of symbolic significance and unparalleled natural beauty. Its vibrant blue petals, accented with a radiant yellow glow, make for a stunning sight that has captured the hearts and imaginations of many.
But beyond its symbolic purpose, the blue Iris is also an easy flower to grow in your garden! In this guide, discover the different varieties of blue irises.
Learn about their symbolism and traditional uses, and get easy tips to help you grow this beautiful flower in your landscaping.
What Is a Blue Iris Flower?
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A Blue Iris flower is one of the more striking varieties of Iris. It is a perennial flowering plant and belongs to the catkin family, Iridaceae, and sub-genus Iris.
Despite its name, blue irises come in various colors, including purple, pink, white, and even yellow. These flowers have been cultivated for centuries for their beauty and medicinal uses.
The flower has five petals with three upright petals, known as the standards, and two drooping petals, known as the falls.
The petals are usually notched at the edges or have wavy margins to create a distinctive appearance. Inside the flower are six stamens around an ovary, eventually producing a seed capsule.
Blue Iris Flower Features
Image Source: PlantNet
To easily identify a Blue Iris flowers, here are some important features to note:
- Blue Iris grows in varied shapes and sizes which means it can blossom and reach up to 6 inches in diameter or larger
- They come in a wide range of shades which includes light sky blue, dark indigo, or a mixture of both
- The leaves are long, narrow, and sword-shaped
- It has a long flowering season, typically blooming in late spring and lasting through summer into early fall
- One plant can produce numerous flowers with buds developing around each other in a dome-like shape
- The delicate petals last for about 10 days
- It offers a delightful scent that can be used to create natural perfumes and potpourri mixes
- The aroma is sweet but not overly strong
What Does the Flower Blue Iris Look Like
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The Blue Iris is an intricate and beautiful flower which has a slender stem and two-inch wide, velvety blue petals fan out in a lovely starburst shape from the center.
Its unique trumpet-like shape gives it a creative and exotic appearance. The pistil and stamens are white or yellow, making for a more striking contrast to the deep blue petals.
The foliage is green and sword-shaped, adding an interesting texture to the plant. When placed in a sunny location, the Blue Iris blooms for 4 – 8 weeks during springtime.
Varieties of Blue Irises
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Here are some of the common varieties of blue irises:
1. Southern Blue Flag Iris
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Blue Irish Variety of Southern Blue Flag Iris is a beautiful, hardy perennial flower. It features tall, slender stems topped by bright blue, fan-shaped flowers with yellow centers.
The blooms appear in late spring, often with rebloom in early summer and fall. This variety is versatile and can be used in the garden, border, or containers.
This flower prefers moist soil, neutral pH, and full sun to partial shade. The foliage is evergreen and provides winter interest.
2. Northern Blue Flag Iris
Image Source: Flickr
A Northern Blue Flag Iris (Iris setosa var. canadensis) is a rare member of the iris family, native to the northern parts of North America and Canada.
Its flowers are a vibrant blue color with yellow accents at the base of each petal. The plant prefers moist, wet soil and full sun. It blooms in spring and is known for its incredible hardiness, even in cold winter!
3. Regina Blue Walking Iris
Image Source: MyGardenLife
The Regina Blue Walking Iris is a stunning variety of Irish walking Iris that will grab attention wherever it’s planted. Its unique form and cobalt-blue petals make it stand out in any garden.
When it comes to this species of flower, there is a huge preference for moist, fertile soil and can be grown in zones 8-10. The long-lasting flowers will produce multiple blooms in the late spring, making them an excellent addition to any landscape.
4. Blue Bearded Iris
Image Source: PXhere
This Blue Bearded Iris is a stunning, frosty-blue bloom with a deep, intricate pattern of cream and white markings.
Particularly, this variety is a new take on the classic blue Iris and stands out because of its large size and high presence in the garden.
In addition, its soft petals provide a beautiful contrast to other darker-colored flowers, making it great for creating a pop of color to any landscape. If planted in well-drained soil, this Irish variety will remain hardy and easy to care for year after year.
5. Iris Versicolor Purple Flame (Blue Flag)
Image Source: Avonlea Gardens and Inn
Iris Versicolor Purple Flame is a stunning and unique variety of a Purple Iris flower. It has white and purple petals with a deep purple center, giving it an exceptional color contrast.
This flower blooms in late spring, creating a beautiful addition to any garden.
What Do Blue Iris Flowers Mean?
Image Source: Stockvault
The color blue is associated with stability, calmness, and tranquility. In the context of Irises, blue represents faith and hope.
Blue iris flower’s petals symbolize the strength and steadfastness of one’s faith, while the tall stem and upward-facing petals signify hope and optimism for the future.
Do Blue Iris Flowers Reappear Every Year?
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These perennials bloom year after year. Irises have two ranks of basal leaves that vary in shape from linear to sword-shaped and often resemble a fan.
A thick rootstock (or rhizome), fibrous roots, or, in some cases, a flower bulb produces these leaves.
Where Do Blue Iris Flowers Grow
Image Source: Istock
The blue Iris is a flowering plant native to certain parts of Europe and Asia. It is typically found in moist meadows and areas near rivers but can also thrive in drier gardens.
Its native range extends to Turkey, Greece, Iran, Jordan, and Syria. It has bright blue flowers with yellow or orange markings on the lower petals and grows best in direct sunlight. The blue Iris is an attractive flower that adds color to any garden setting.
How Long Do Blue Iris Flower Last
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Iris are beautiful, exotic flowers with graceful petals that open in shades of purple, citron, and snow-white.
They add a touch of the exotic to bouquets, centerpieces, and corsages. If taken care of correctly, iris should last 5 to 7 days.
Besides this plant, we also make a full care guide on how to care for Succulents.
Other Varieties of Iris Flowers
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It is important to note other varieties of Iris flowers so you have a wide option to decorate your garden or home. Check out these beautiful Iris varieties you might like.
1. White African Iris
Image Source: Flickr
The White African Iris is an evergreen variety of Iris native to South Africa and has frilly white flowers with a yellow throat. The foliage is pointed, glossy, and green in color.
This easy-to-grow perennial grows well in sun or shady areas, making it a great accent plant. It blooms in summer and can be grown in containers or on the ground, making it versatile and attractive for any garden.
2. Pink Iris
Image Source: Pinterest
The Pink Iris is a unique species of Iris flower that produces bright, richly colored blooms in shades of pink.
It has sturdy stems and large, delicate petals that reveal a yellow throat in the center. The Pink Iris is easy to care for and a great addition to any garden.
3. Purple Bearded Iris
Image Source: Barbara Falconer Newhall website
The Purple Bearded Iris is a gorgeous, eye-catching flower with large, tall stalks and deep purple petals.
It has a long, velvety beard along the stem and a delicate cluster of yellow stamen in its center. Perfect for adding color and texture to any landscape or garden!
4. Iris Black Gamecock
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Iris Black Gamecock is a perennial flowering plant in the Iris family. It produces deep black flowers with yellow accents, and its foliage is green and strap-like. Highly floriferous, it blooms from mid-spring to mid-summer.
This variety is ideal for garden beds, borders, courtyard gardens, or as a feature plant in large containers.
5. White Bearded Iris
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
White Bearded Irises are beautiful flowers with striking bright white petals and strong, showy yellow stamens radiating from their center.
This variety is highly sought after for its bold beauty and is perfect for brightening any garden or flower bed.
6. Black Bearded Iris
Image Source: Wikimedia commons
The Black Bearded Iris is a beautiful, exotic flower with velvety, dark purple petals and deep black-purple beards. Its attractive coloration makes it popular for gardeners and floral designers.
This black iris flower variety is easy to care for and grows well in full sun with moderate water. With its unique hue and long bloom time, the Black Bearded Iris is an impressive addition to any garden.
7. Yellow Walking Iris
Image Source: Flickr
The Yellow Walking Iris is a vibrant and eye-catching variety of the iris flower. Featuring bright yellow blooms with deep purple centers, it is native to Central America and the Caribbean.
This showy bloom blooms in late spring and early summer, adding a brilliant splash of color to your garden. The plant is deer resistant and easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for any garden.
8. White Siberian Iris
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The White Siberian Iris is a hardy, easy-to-grow iris flower with delicate white petals and thin green stems.
It produces a graceful bloom in late spring and early summer with a light, sweet scent. It’s perfect for any garden and can add subtle beauty to any landscape.
9. Iris Black Swan
Image Source: Flickr
Iris Black Swan is a beautiful iris flower with soft purple petals with a deep black center. These flowers emit a sweet fragrance and have tall, thin stems.
They make a great addition to any garden and will surely be an eye-catching display!
10. Blackberry Iris
Image Source: Flickr
The Blackberry Iris is a beautiful and unique variety of iris flowers with large, deep purple blooms featuring dark maroon veins radiating from the center.
It will surely add a striking effect to any garden or landscape setting. In addition, this low-growing perennial is hardy and easy to care for, making it a great choice for beginning gardeners.
11. Yellow Water Iris
Image Source: Flickr
The Yellow Water Iris is a beautiful and unique variety of Yellow Iris flowers. It has large, vibrant yellow petals with a darker yellow center. These flowers prefer to thrive in moist, marshy environments and are known to be quite hardy and resilient.
In addition, they can easily adapt to various soil and light conditions, making them an ideal choice for gardeners looking for beauty and versatility.
Conclusion
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
With its incredible array of hues, preppy pastels, or opulent deep colors, there’s a variety for everyone. With patience and the right growing conditions, you can enjoy the beauty of this amazing flower right in your backyard.
So whether you’re seeking a unique gift for an occasion or simply bringing the joy of nature into your home, the Blue Iris is sure to make an impact.
Do you want your house to look nicer and be more functional for your family? Do you want to learn new gardening methods that you can use to grow your own fresh fruits and veggies in your backyard? If so, you can stop your search right here at Guyabouthome, where you’ll find a wealth of knowledge as well as gardening and home improvement ideas.
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Guy Keenan
Hi there! I’m Guy, the guy behind Guy About Home (that’s a lot of guy’s). I’m just your average guy (ok, I’ll stop) living in the USA who is really interested in making and doing.
