Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Iris ensata 'Foreign Intrigue'
Foreign Intrigue Japanese Iris
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Height
- 36 to 48 inches
- Width
- 18 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Deep purple with white and yellow accents
- Foliage color
- Green, sword-like
- Bloom time
- Early to mid-summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- High
- Maintenance
- Moderate; may require dividing every few years
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
About this plant
Iris ensata 'Foreign Intrigue' is a stunning Japanese iris known for its dramatic and exotic blooms. The flowers are a bright, velvety purple with a hint of blue, accented by intricate deeper purple veining throughout the petals. The falls are broad and ruffled, giving the plant an elegant, flowing appearance. At the center, a bright yellow signal or "eye" adds a striking contrast, drawing attention to the intricate details of the bloom.
'Foreign Intrigue' typically blooms in early to mid-summer, offering a breathtaking display during this period. As a Japanese iris cultivar, it has been bred from native Japanese species to enhance its size, color intensity, and overall beauty. Its striking appearance and refined form make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
