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Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded Iris (TB), Self
Height: 39 inches
Width: 1 to 1 1/2 feet
Flower color: Deep blue-violet with powder-blue beards
Foliage color: Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
Bloom time: Early midseason
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate, drought tolerant once established
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8

Irises

Iris 'Blueberry Shortcake'

Blueberry Shortcake Iris

Iris 'Blueberry Shortcake' is a tall bearded iris with richly colored, ruffled flowers that bloom in early midseason. The standards and falls are a deep blue-violet, creating a nearly uniform wash of saturated color across the flower. Powder-blue beards provide a cool, contrasting accent against the darker petals. The flowers have a slight sweet fragrance, while sturdy stems and well-branched flower stalks hold the blooms above upright, sword-shaped green foliage.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate, drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Early midseason

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cut Flower Gardens
Formal Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Dwarf spirea · Shrub cinquefoil · Yellow columbine · Coreopsis · White yarrow · Silver lamb's ear · Creeping thyme

Design tip

Give 'Blueberry Shortcake' a light backdrop or neighboring plants with silvery foliage to keep its dark flowers clearly defined. A few nearby touches of yellow or cream create contrast, while repeating blue-violet elsewhere helps carry its color through the planting.