Iris missouriensis - Blue Flag Iris

Blue Flag Iris is a striking perennial with elegant lavender-blue flowers, intricately veined and accented by a central yellow signal. Blooming in late spring to early summer, its large, showy blossoms rise above slender, sword-like leaves, creating a bold yet graceful presence in the landscape. The nectar-rich flowers attract bumblebees, native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, playing a key role in supporting native bee populations. While the foliage is occasionally browsed, the plant contains mild toxins, making it less palatable to most herbivores.

Blue Flag Iris prefers consistently moist soils, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, pond margins, and wetland plantings. Its dense, fibrous root system helps stabilize streambanks and wetland soils, making it valuable for riparian restoration and erosion control. While it spreads slowly by rhizomes, it remains well-behaved and brings long-lasting beauty to both naturalized and urban landscapes. Its mildly toxic foliage offers moderate resistance to deer, which tend to avoid it once mature.