Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Southern Blue Flag is best kept in moist - very wet conditions (pond perimeter, low-lying damp areas,  etc.) and prefers humusy to sandy soil in boggy areas with full sun.

Growth Habit/Description:

Commonly light blue to violet flower with dropping petals with a light yellow pubescent signal. The leaves are usually 2 - 3 ft. long and are a burgundy color at the base. They come up to around 2ft.

Bloom Season:

The Southern Blue Flag blooms late spring and into the summer (May - July).

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

No. The bright green leaves usually lay on the ground during the fall/winter months.

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

No. Southern Blue Flag is not a  host plant for caterpillars.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes.   The flowers attract native bees, hummingbirds, insects, and are considered "deer-tolerant".

Origin of Name:  The genus, Iris, was named after the Greek goddess of rainbows and the species was named after Virginia, where it was first discovered.

Related Plant Species:   Southern Blue Flag is related to many of the other Iris species under the same name of Blue Flag, though each differs in native locations. Iris setosa (Alaska), Iris missouriensis (Western US), Iris versicolor (Eastern US), Iris tridentata (Southeastern US).

Use For Food/Medicine:

Southeastern Native Americans would the roots into a paste to turn into a salve, and infusion from the root was used to treat liver failure, and was also used to treat "yellow-ish urine".

Plant Guide VIRGINIA IRIS Iris virginica L. Plant Symbol = IRVI. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_irvi.pdf.

Blue Flag Irises. wwwfsusdagov. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/iris/Blue_Flag/index.shtml#:~:text=The%20Blue%20Flag%20Irises%20occur.

2014 BONAP North American Plant Atlas. bonapnet. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. http://bonap.net/Napa/Genus/Traditional/County#refI.

Iris virginica (Southern Blue Flag Iris) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. plantscesncsuedu. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-virginica/.

Iris virginica. wwwfsusdagov. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/iris/Blue_Flag/iris_virginica.shtml#:~:text=The%20southern%20blue%20flag%20iris.

Iris virginica var. shrevei. Prairie Moon Nursery. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://www.prairiemoon.com/iris-virginica-var-shrevei-southern-blue-flag-prairie-moon-nursery.html.

Southern Blue Flag. Grow Native! [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://grownative.org/native_plants/southern-blue-flag/#:~:text=Narrow%2C%20bright%20green%20leaves%20often.

Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica)-IRVIR. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://mowildflowers-net.3dcartstores.com/Southern-Blue-Flag-Iris-virginica_p_154.html.

Jan 26 F | H 1870 | P, Print 2017 |. Rain Garden Plants: Iris versicolor and Iris virginica. Home & Garden Information Center | Clemson University, South Carolina. [accessed 2023 Sep 11]. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rain-garden-plants-iris-versicolor-and-iris-virginica/#:~:text=Blue%20flag%20iris%20flowers%20attract.

Last Edited 9/11/23, by Abby Staples