Japanese Iris (JI)

Japanese Irises (JI) present some of the most spectacular flowers of all the irises. Blooms are usually huge; they can be ruffled or flared, flat or pendant in form; some are marbled with gray or white. Japanese hybridizers have worked with them for over 500 years. These irises bloom about a month after the Tall Bearded irises. They prefer full sun and ordinary garden conditions, but require a moist and slightly acid soil, especially up to bloom time. They will do very well beside a stream or a pond but in cold climates they do not like to have their roots in water during the winter. Japanese Iris prefer a heavy, rich soil with ample organic matter. The soil pH should be slightly acid, ideally between 5.0 to 6.5. They do not like lime, so do not plant close to cement, as lime leaches out of it.

Please note that these photo galleries are intended as a reference as well as pure enjoyment! Our photo collection has grown over many years and includes irises grown in many different locations. We DO NOT grow the vast majority of these irises!