What hardiness zones is Iris virginica suitable for?

Iris virginica is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Iris virginica?

Iris virginica requires Full Sun.

How much water does Iris virginica need?

Iris virginica has High water needs.

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Perennials

Iris virginica

Virginia Iris

Iridaceae

Eastern North America — from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas, in coastal marshes and wet meadows

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-30 inches (45-75 cm)

Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Iris virginica is Virginia iris (southern blue flag) — the southeastern native water iris, growing 18–30 inches (45–75 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide. Violet-blue to lavender-blue flowers with yellow signal patches on the drooping falls in late spring to early summer. The southeastern counterpart to the northern I. versicolor (blue flag): I. virginica has a more southern range, tolerates slightly warmer and more coastal conditions, and blooms slightly later. Notably salt-tolerant among native irises — growing in brackish coastal marshes as well as freshwater wetlands. Medium green sword-shaped arching foliage. Wet to waterlogged soil — tolerates standing water. Toxic — all parts, especially the rhizomes. Deer avoid the toxic foliage. Hardy to zone 5.

Native Range

Iris virginica is native to eastern North America — from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas, in coastal marshes and wet meadows.

Suggested Uses

Used in rain gardens, pond margins, coastal wetland plantings, and wet meadows. The southeastern native water iris. Salt-tolerant for brackish conditions. The southern companion to the northern I. versicolor.

How to Identify

Identified by violet-blue to lavender-blue flowers with yellow signal patches on a water iris with sword-shaped foliage in wet to waterlogged conditions. Distinguished from the northern I. versicolor by the more southern range and slightly later bloom. Salt-tolerant. The yellow signal patches on the falls are the species detail.