Iris Versicolor ‘Mysterious Monique’

Caution: irritant to skin and eyes, harmful if eaten. Plant bareroot Blue Flag plants at the earliest opportunity following delivery. Iris versicolour plants thrive in moist, acid or neutral soil in a sunny or semi-shaded position. These moisture loving iris require a rich, fertile soil which has had plenty of well rotted organic matter added into the soil prior to planting. Avoid submerging Iris versicolour in ponds and streams as this may cause them to rot. Instead, plant them in moist ground at the water’s edge, or in damp borders and bog gardens with their roots in the shade and their heads in the sun.

These plants are lifted from the nursery field when dormant, and sent to you in late autumn or spring for planting. They often look dead on arrival, but they are just resting in the dormant period and will establish quickly for a strong start in the garden come spring. Set out in prepared soil in holes wide enough and deep enough to lay out the roots. Tread down the planting soil to knock out air pockets. Water well to settle. Apply a mulch to protect roots from cold temperatures. If conditions prevent immediate planting, set roughly into loose soil or a pot of compost (‘heeling in’) to protect the roots. The growth points of most bare root perennials should be set about an inch below the soil surface. New growth will appear in spring.

Iris versicolour require reliably moist soil. Water if necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. Overcrowded clumps of Blue Flag plants can be divided in autumn after flowering. Mulch around the base of Iris versicolour in spring to help retain moisture at their roots.