Description of Iris ensata 'Activity'

Iris ensata 'Activity' is a Japanese iris for bog gardens and pond margins. It’s grown for large early summer flowers and upright foliage. Japanese iris may also be listed as Iris kaempferi in some catalogues.

Appearance

It forms tall fans of narrow leaves and produces big ruffled blooms on sturdy stems, often 70 to 100cm. Flowering is usually June into July in the UK, depending on warmth and moisture.

Care Guide

Keep it well fed and wet through spring and early summer and it usually rewards you with better bloom counts.

• Sun: Full sun is best for flowering. Part shade is fine in wet soil.
• Soil: Humus-rich, moisture-holding soil.
• Water: Keep the root zone wet. Avoid letting it dry in late spring.
• Feeding: Feed in spring, especially if grown in a basket.
• Division: Divide in spring every few years if the clump gets tight.

Plant rhizomes just below the surface and keep weeds away while it establishes.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens as a mid to back feature plant. It also works well in liner bogs where you can keep a pocket of rich compost wet all summer.

For a fuller display, plant three together and keep lower plants in front to cover the base.

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