(Iris missouriensis var. ‘Wild Blue’)

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Wild Blue Iris is a native annual flower that can be commonly found growing in the wet areas of meadows and mountainous marshes throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2' and features stiff sword-shaped leaves and 2-3” blooms of 6 segmented violet-blue petals that have a white and yellow center and dark purple veins. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts hummingbirds, tolerates frost, makes cordage, is resistant to deer, and has medicinal properties! 

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  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
  • Other Uses
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​Family: Iridaceae

Genus: Cleretum

Species: Iris missouriensis

Cultivar: Wild Blue Iris

Also Known As: Rocky Mountain Iris, Wild Blue Iris, Blue Flag, Flag Lily, Water Flag, & Dragon Flower.

Native to: Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Mexico Northeast, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Ease of Growing: Advanced

Grown as: Perennial 
 
Maturity (Bloom): May to June

Light: Full sun to part shade.
​
Water: Medium to Wet.

Soil Moisture: Medium to wet. Well drained.
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Beneficial Insects?: Yes. It's flowers attract hummingbirds.

​Containers?: Yes. consider growing this in large pots submerged to the rim.

Maintenance: Low

Height: 12-24”
 
Spacing: 8-12”

Sow Depth: 1/2"
 
USDA Zone: 3a-8b​

Produces: a plant with stiff sword-shaped leaves and 2-3" pale purple blossoms with darker purple veins.

Garden Uses: Best grouped or massed in sunny areas of perennial beds, borders or foundations.
To help soften the hard seed coat, soak the seeds overnight in warm water before planting. To germinate, these seeds need a period of several months of cold followed by warmth. To accomplish this naturally, direct sow the seeds in fall; they will begin to germinate in the late spring and early summer. Alternatively, the seed can be store in moist sand in the refrigerator for 60-90 days then planted 1/2" deep in peat pots. For best results, use slightly acidic soil and keep the soil moist but not wet until germination. These seeds germinate rather slowly, often taking several months to sprout. Keep in mind that germination will continue through the first several years, as the seeds gradually come out of dormancy. The seedlings can be planted outdoors in late spring or early summer or when there is no chance of frost, or when they have reached a height of 4-6".
Iris seeds are easily collected from the large capsules. These capsules turn from green to brown and open at the top when ripe. Care must be taken when handling seeds because they split very rapidly; two days after ripening the seed has spilled out. Collect capsules carefully to avoid spilling seeds; each capsule has from 20 to 80 seeds. Seeds should be stored in paper envelopes at room  temperature until they are planted. The seeds of all species will keep up to 10 years at room temperature. 
These blossoms do not perform well as cut flowers, and are best enjoyed outdoors.
Very soon after blooming, this plant will produce large green pods that quickly turn brown and drop their seed. Gather the pods as soon as the seeds inside have turned brown; spread the pods out to dry completely, then separate the seeds from the husks. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.
A poultice of the raw rhizome is especially effective against staph sores. Externally iris rhizomes are successfully used on infected wounds, ulcers, fistulas and to take away freckles. Only the dried iris root or rhizome should be used internally. Iris is active as a cathartic, has a stimulating effect on the production of both pancreatic enzymes and bile, is a strong diuretic, and will stimulate both saliva and sweat. This is a useful medicinal plant but in general should be used with care and preferably in combinations where less energetic plants forming the bulk of a medicinal formula. 
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Peonies are traditionally companions for irises. If you plant a garden with irises, peonies and roses it will look wonderful. One more plant is forsythia, forsythia not only helps the irises grow, but also provides the beautiful contrast of color. Forsythia flowers herald the arrival of spring and their yellow colored blooms are perfect match for reticulated iris that flowers in the spring as well.

Vinca minor plants when grown around the base of an iris plant, they crawl and grow around the iris, this creates a beautiful focal point in the garden. Pair of purple coneflowers also go along well with long-stemmed bearded irises.

Problems: Leaf spot, root rot, bacterial soft rot, crown rot and mosaic viruses may appear. Watch for slug, snails, whiteflies, aphids and thrips. Iris borers can cause significant problems in areas where they are found.
Iris makes some of the finest cordage; the fibers are particularly strong and flexible. Iris cordage was used for fishing nets, string, rope, snares, hairnets, and regalia. These fibers are very fine and silky, but surprisingly strong. The threads and cords of this fiber were used to make fishing nets, camping bags and snares for catching deer, birds, and other game. In spite of the tremendous labor of preparing this material, the iris fiber was one of the most generally employed in northwestern 
​California.

Rope was made from fibers, which occur, on the outer margins of iris leaves. Huge bunches of leaves were harvested in the fall and stored until needed. A single silky fiber was taken from each margin of the leaf. None of the other fibers were used. The men always knotted the fishing nets. A deer rope is near 20 feet long with a lasso at one end, and about half an inch in diameter. This loop was set over a deer trail to catch the head or antlers. Within the set loop over the trail was spread a delicate network of the same material to draw in the loop. One Indian stated that "it takes nearly six weeks to make a rope twelve feet long."

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(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Red’)

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