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Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded Iris (TB), Self
Height: 38 inches
Width: 1 to 1 1/2 feet
Flower color: Medium marine blue with pale blue beards
Foliage color: Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
Bloom time: Midseason
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate, drought tolerant once established
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8

Irises

Iris 'Merchant Marine'

Merchant Marine Iris

Iris 'Merchant Marine' is a tall bearded iris with large, heavily ruffled flowers that bloom in midseason. The standards are a rich medium blue, while the broad falls deepen slightly to a more saturated marine blue, creating subtle tonal contrast across the flower. Pale blue beards blend quietly into the petals, with a small touch of yellow deep in the throat. The substantial blooms are carried on well-branched stems above upright, sword-shaped green foliage.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate, drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Midseason

Find this plant

Works well in

Formal Gardens
Borders
Cut Flower Gardens
Walkways
Foundation Plantings

Companion plants

Dwarf golden barberry · Shrub cinquefoil · White peony · Yellow columbine · White gaura · Silver sage · Creeping baby's breath

Design tip

Use 'Merchant Marine' in repeated clumps to carry a consistent blue note through a long border. Its saturated coloring is strong enough to establish rhythm from a distance, while pale stone, cream flowers, or golden foliage can keep the planting feeling bright.