Iris ensata ‘Light at Dawn’

IBERIS sempervirens (Candytuft)     Rugged, low, spreading, evergreen mats are covered with white flowers throughout the spring.  

sempervirens ‘Alexanders White’     Large pure white flowers carpet low, spreading mats of mint green foliage. A superior mat-forming plant with high impact when in bloom and its glistening white flowers blanket the foliage. Blooms in mid-spring and repeats again in fall with a somewhat diminished display. Foliage remains attractive all season especially if pruned back when flowering is finished to discourage "opening up" in the center and to maintain a lush, dense foliage mass. Will tolerate light shade. Zone 3.

IRIS bucharica    Native to Russia, 30ins. tall with large, wide, glossy-green leaves present in greater quantities than usually seen on irises. Flowers are white with flaring standards and yellow falls that are speckled green. Flowers are borne in the leaf axils in March and April. Zone 5.

IRIS cristata    A lovely woodland iris with dainty, blue flowers and low, dense mat-forming fronds that slowly flow outward in wave-like rings. Very effective combined with Phlox divaracata and Hosta in the shade garden. 6-8ins. tall, spreading. Grow in shade, in well drained soil. Zone 4. 

IRIS cristata ‘Powder Blue Giant’    Light blue-purple flowers with golden crests and darder blue accents, May-June. 12ins. tall, spreading in attractive, wave-like fashion. Grow in part to heavier shade. Suited for the front of the border, for weaving its way through crevices and for the rock garden. Zone 4.

IRIS cristata ‘Tennessee White’    Each stunning, bright white bloom is enhanced with a yellow crest. 6-8ins. tall, with dwarf iris fronds that gradually expand in dense, symetrical, wave-like fashion forming large mats that remain attractive long after the flowers have faded. Likes part shade, well drained soil. Zone 4.

IRIS ensata (Japanese Iris)     Tall, late June-July blooms (after I. sibirica), acid, moist soil. Will not tolerate lime. Zone 4. 

ensata 'August Emperor'     7½in. double purple flowers with white and blue edges around the yellow signals, 3-4ft. tall.

ensata 'Caprician Butterfly'    8in. double white flowers with purple-blue veins and small, curling, purple-blue styles and yellow signals.

ensata ‘Genji Botaru’ New    Wide, flat, purple flowers heavily striped with white. Vary dramatic, with coloring similar to I. germanica ‘Batik’ (see picture below). 30” tall.

ensata ‘Harpswell Chantey’    Large, light purple flowers with yellow throats. 2½’ tall. Blooms June-July.

ensata ‘Light at Dawn’    Double white flowers with ruffled, purple edges, 32ins. high. Blooms June-July. 

ensata ‘Royal Pageant’ New      5” white flowers with lots of purple venation. 34” tall.      

ensata ‘Variegata’    Stunning variegated blades, green with bright, white striping. and deep blue flowers that are nice for cutting. Worth having in the garden for the foliage alone. 27” tall.

ensata ‘Wine Ruffles’ New     Immense, deep reddish-purple, double flowers with lots of ruffling around the petal edges. 

Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)    Bearded iris need to be planted in full sun in very well drained soil of average or better fertility. Rhizomes should be planted very shallowly, just below the soil surface. They are not difficult, in fact, once they take hold, it’s just a matter of time before you start begging your neighbors to take some.  

germanica ‘Batik’ New    An award winning variety with vibrant purple flowers with unique white streaking on the standards and falls, yellow beards. Blooms late spring on 36in. stems.

germanica ‘Before the Storm’    One of the blackest of the tall, bearded irises. Slightly fragrant flowers with a black beard, tipped bronze. 36ins. tall.

germanica ‘Beverly sills’New    Beautiful coral-pink blooms, wide and lacy on 36in. stems.

germanica ‘Lace Artistry’ New      Frilly, pink blossoms with peach undertones and lots of ruffling. The falls have lighter cream centers that highlight the apricot-colored beards. 37” tall.

germanica ‘Red Hawk’ New       An enchanting selection with burgundy standards and even darker burgundy falls with yellow beards, dark veining and heavy ruffling.

germanica ‘Savannah Sunset’    Intense cadmium orange petals, with tangerine beards. 38ins. stems with a high bud count promise bloom for up to three weeks.

germanica ‘Swingtown’ New      Rich mulberry flowers with purple beards bloom on sturdy, 36” stems. Stems are well branched with a high bud count of 7-9 buds per stem.

germanica ‘Tanzanian Tangerine’ New     Unique peachy tan flowers with wine red falls. The wine red color extends to the picotee edges. 38” tall.  

IRIS pallida ‘Argentea Variegata’    Scented, soft blue flowers with yellow beards appear May-June on 48in. stems to a background of beautiful, bright green and creamy yellow, variegated, strap-like leaves. Plant in photo is actually I. pallida ‘Variegata’. I. pallida ‘Argentea Variegata’ differs only in having creamy yellow varagation instead of white. Zone 4.

sibirica (Siberian Iris)     Easy, early summer blooming. Excellent companion for peonies. Several of the below listed varieties are not actually new, but just back after an absence of several years. Siberians iris do best in rich, moist, well drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, in full sun. O.K. in some shade but flowering will be diminished.

siberica 'Butter and Sugar'     28-36", white standards over yellow falls.

siberica 'Caesar's Brother'     Rich, deep blue flowers bloom on 42" stems.

siberica ‘Harpswell Happiness’      Creamy white flowers on 28” stems.

siberica ‘Steve’     Dark lavender-blue with large standards hanging open over the falls revealing contrasting sky blue styles, 32ins. tall.

versicolor (Blue Flag)     See under Woodland Wildflowers.

versicolor ‘Gerald Darby’     See under Woodland Wildflowers.

Isotoma fluviatilis (Pratia)     Rapidly forms a dense, tiny-leaved, gray-green mat with soft blue to whitish small flowers that blanket the foliage in summer. Excellent for planting between stepping stones and boulders in sun with moist but well drained soil. Zone 6.