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Key characteristics

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

Perennials

Iris ensata 'Foreign Intrigue'

Foreign Intrigue Japanese Iris

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.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

High

Bloom time

Early to mid-summer

Find this plant

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.