(Iris missouriensis ‘Wild Blue’)
Wild Blue Iris is a native annual flower that grows in the wet areas of meadows and mountainous marshes throughout the western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2' and features stiff sword-shaped leaves and 2-3” blooms of 6 segmented violet-blue petals with 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
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Germination
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Seedlings
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Medicinal
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Companion Planting
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Other Uses
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.
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.
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.
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."
Suggested Varieties
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Antique’)
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Antique Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like white flowers with pink and red stripes. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Black’)
Black Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like dark maroon flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Cream’)
Cream Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like creamy white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Double Mix’)
Peony Poppy Double Mix is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like flowers that range in color. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Pale Rose’)
Pale Rose Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like light pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. Somniferum Paeoniflorum ‘Purple’)
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Purple Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like purple grape-colored flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Red’)
Red Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like red flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Salmon’)
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Salmon Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like salmon-pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.