This plant deserves the full article all of its own. There are 3 varieties of Iris which can be considered to be true aquatic plants for growing all year round within the shallows of a pond and i consider it to be unthinkable to possess a collection of Marginals without having one of these gorgeous plants growing in the pond. An important variety for the normal garden pond is Iris Ieavigata (Japanese Water Iris).
The 3 petalled blooms are somewhere in the area of about 5 inches across and they are borne on 2 ft. high stems. The first flowers usually begin to open in June and are clear blue in colour with a yellow line down the centre of each petal. A second flush of blooms may appear in September depending on the environment that you live in.
You can find a number of varieties which you are able to select from 'Snowdrift' (white with 6 petals), 'Dorothy' (blue with a white line down the centre of each petal), 'Variegata' (blue, leaves variegated yellow and green) and the hybrid I. 'Rose Queen' (rose-pink).
The planting depth for I. laevigata and its varieties is 0 - 3 inches. I.pseudacorus (Yellow Flag or Yellow Water Iris) is more vigorous and taller than I. Iaevigata. The foliage is 3 - 4ft. lond and the yellow flowers are on stems which can reach as high as 3 ft. The variety is too course for ordinary garden ponds but the variety 'Variegata' (2 - 2.5 ft. high) with its more restrained growth habit and cream leaves edged with green makes it an excellent choice. Other varieties include 'Sulphur Queen' and 'Bastardii'. The planting depth for I. pseudacorus and its varieties is 2 - 4 inches.
The third aquatic species is I. versicolor (American Blue Flag). This is a restrained plant for that smaller pond. Its leaves are 2 ft. long and the flower stalks are 1.5 - 2 ft. in hight. The violet blue flowers begin to appear in June or July and they have narrow petals blotched with gold on the base. The popular variety is 'Kermesina' with claret red flowers speckled with white. The planting depth for I. versicolor and its varieties is 2 - 4 inches.
Propagation: To propagate the individual plants, all you need to do is divide the clumps as soon as the flowering has finished and your plants will thrive.
That virtually covers all that I wish to say about this lovely plant. I do hope that I have not gone on too long in regards to the Iris, but I do feel strongly them. From a personal point of view, if you haven't got an Iris or two growing in your pond then you really should add them. You certainly won't regret it. The vibrant colours and sizes of these plants will amaze you along with any visitors that you may have. I could have made this article a great deal longer but I do not want the readers getting bored. Just give the Iris a chance.
The 3 petalled blooms are somewhere in the area of about 5 inches across and they are borne on 2 ft. high stems. The first flowers usually begin to open in June and are clear blue in colour with a yellow line down the centre of each petal. A second flush of blooms may appear in September depending on the environment that you live in.
You can find a number of varieties which you are able to select from 'Snowdrift' (white with 6 petals), 'Dorothy' (blue with a white line down the centre of each petal), 'Variegata' (blue, leaves variegated yellow and green) and the hybrid I. 'Rose Queen' (rose-pink).
The planting depth for I. laevigata and its varieties is 0 - 3 inches. I.pseudacorus (Yellow Flag or Yellow Water Iris) is more vigorous and taller than I. Iaevigata. The foliage is 3 - 4ft. lond and the yellow flowers are on stems which can reach as high as 3 ft. The variety is too course for ordinary garden ponds but the variety 'Variegata' (2 - 2.5 ft. high) with its more restrained growth habit and cream leaves edged with green makes it an excellent choice. Other varieties include 'Sulphur Queen' and 'Bastardii'. The planting depth for I. pseudacorus and its varieties is 2 - 4 inches.
The third aquatic species is I. versicolor (American Blue Flag). This is a restrained plant for that smaller pond. Its leaves are 2 ft. long and the flower stalks are 1.5 - 2 ft. in hight. The violet blue flowers begin to appear in June or July and they have narrow petals blotched with gold on the base. The popular variety is 'Kermesina' with claret red flowers speckled with white. The planting depth for I. versicolor and its varieties is 2 - 4 inches.
Propagation: To propagate the individual plants, all you need to do is divide the clumps as soon as the flowering has finished and your plants will thrive.
That virtually covers all that I wish to say about this lovely plant. I do hope that I have not gone on too long in regards to the Iris, but I do feel strongly them. From a personal point of view, if you haven't got an Iris or two growing in your pond then you really should add them. You certainly won't regret it. The vibrant colours and sizes of these plants will amaze you along with any visitors that you may have. I could have made this article a great deal longer but I do not want the readers getting bored. Just give the Iris a chance.