LOOMIS CREEK NURSERY is wild about Iris ensata (Japanese iris). This regal iris blooms at the beginning of summer in the Hudson Valley after Siberians (Iris sibirica) and tall bearded (Iris x germanica) have faded.
Iris ensata rewards gardeners with the largest of iris flowers – 5-inch diameter is common with some dinnerplate forms approaching 8 inches. The flowers have been hybridized in Japan for hundreds of years. They were very popular in American estate gardens in the beginning of the 1900′s, but fell out of favor in the Great Depression and following war with Japan. American hybridizers have introduced many new varieties into the marketplace with diverse flower forms from lovely, refined singles to over-the-top flattened and ruffled forms.
Loomis Creek currently stocks the following Iris ensata varieties and is always expanding its inventory.
‘Activity’ – pale blue with purple veining and centers
‘Darling’ – soft lilac-rose with yellow signals
‘Dramatic Moment’ – large white with pale blue cast and yellow signals
‘Gracieuse’ – white with lilac edges and small yellow centers
‘Oriental Tracery’ – mauve heavily veined purple with purple center
‘Pink Frost’ – soft pink single with yellow signals
‘Soho’ – deep purple single on high-rise 5’ stems; stately
‘Variegata’ – blue-purple flowers; variegated white-edged leaves
Culture: Moist soils (do not prosper in hot, dry conditions); full to part shade; USDA Zone 4-9
Ideal along stream edges and boggy areas.
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