Description of Iris ensata 'Darling'

Iris ensata 'Darling' is a Japanese iris cultivar grown for big summer blooms and strong clump growth in wet soil. It’s a solid pick for bog gardens where you want reliable flower size and good foliage.

Appearance

It forms upright fans of narrow leaves. In early to mid summer it sends up tall stems with large flat flowers, often with clear markings and a strong centre signal. Height is commonly 70 to 100cm in flower.

Care Guide

It needs constant moisture from spring into summer. That is when it sets buds and pushes flower stems.

• Sun: Full sun for best blooms.
• Soil: Rich, moisture-holding soil.
• Water: Keep constantly moist. Do not let it dry out in spring.
• Feeding: Light feed in spring, then stop after flowering.
• Division: Divide in spring if flowering drops.

If you grow it in a liner bog, sinking a basket makes lifting and dividing easier.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens and damp pond edges where the roots stay wet. It works well as a mid to back layer behind lower marginals.

Group planting gives a cleaner colour block.

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