Description of Iris ensata 'Harlequinesque'

Iris ensata 'Harlequinesque' is a Japanese iris grown for large early summer flowers. You may also see Japanese iris sold under the older name Iris kaempferi. This cultivar is a good pick if you want something a bit different from solid-colour blooms.

Appearance

It makes upright fans of narrow leaves and sends up stems around 70 to 100cm. Flowers are large and ruffled, with patterned colouring that reads well at close range. Flowering is usually June into July in the UK.

Care Guide

It needs rich soil and steady moisture while buds form. Dry spells in late spring can reduce flowers.

• Sun: Full sun for best blooms. Part shade is fine in wet soil.
• Soil: Humus-rich, moisture-holding soil. Neutral to slightly acid suits it.
• Water: Keep the root zone wet through spring and early summer.
• Feeding: A spring feed supports bud formation.
• Division: Divide in spring every few years if the clump becomes crowded.

Plant rhizomes just covered, not deep, and keep weeds away from the crown.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens as a feature iris for the middle or back of the bed. It works well by pond edges and in liner bogs where you can keep the compost wet through summer.

For best impact, plant in small groups and keep lower plants in front so the stems do not look bare.

FAQ