Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris)

Iris versicolor, also commonly called blue flag iris, is an upright, native, perennial wildflower that is typically found near wetlands, on creek or pond margins, or in any wet, low-lying area. Reaching a height of up to three feet, blue flag iris forms clumps of bright green, grass-like foliage that produces singular, striking blue-purple blooms with yellow accents in the late spring and early summer.

Iris versicolor performs great in typical garden locations when provided with consistent water, but also thrives in saturated areas like creek and pond edges, wet meadows, and even when plants are fully submerged. In addition to inundation, Iris versicolor is also tolerant of brackish water, and provides valuable resources to pollinators, hummingbirds, and even aquatic rodents, who eat the plant's starch-rich roots; even though the roots are consumed by things like muskrats and beavers, the roots are considered toxic to humans and livestock, and are avoided by deer.