Iris versicolor 'Purple Flame'

An extraordinary native strain of Blue Flag introduced by Mt. Cuba Center in 2020, Iris versicolor ‘Purple Flame’ surprisingly shares the purple tones of its graceful flowers with its emerging, early spring foliage. The pointed, aubergine-tinged leaves, eventually changing to green as the weather warms, are reason enough to love this Iris. In late spring and early summer, the show turns to the blue-violet blooms borne upon handsome dark stems. Beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds, the flowers exhibit golden signals upon their falls, which serve as nectar guides for bumblebees and other native bees that also pollinate this Iris. The clump-forming plants, which are especially effective planted en masse, tolerate wet soils such as those found at the edge of ponds.

The Iris genus is named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and it’s easy to see why. These brilliantly colored, spring-flowering perennials are part of a huge plant family that contains upwards of 300 species. Iris range from timid and inconspicuous wildlings to the splendid and extravagant Tall Bearded Iris, which create striking vertical highlights in the late spring border. The chosen habitats of Iris range from standing water to formal borders, and there is scarcely a color or combination of colors that can't be found. Iris plants are fairly indestructible. They thrive in most parts of the country and are largely critter resistant. Adding to their appeal, they are magnets for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Plant a variety and enjoy a rainbow of colors that will return year after year in your garden.

For more information on growing Iris, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Light/Watering: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Full sun encourages the best flowering, while partial shade is suitable in warmer climates. Requires consistently moist to wet soil, ideal for areas with high water retention like pond edges or marshy spots. Can tolerate short periods of standing water, making it suitable for rain gardens and wetlands.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Generally low-maintenance with minimal fertilization needs. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring can enhance growth and bloom production but is usually optional in rich soil. Prefers wet, clayey, or loamy soils with good moisture retention. Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) is ideal, though it can tolerate mildly acidic conditions. Avoid very alkaline soils, as they may inhibit growth.

Pests/Diseases: Typically pest-resistant. Occasional issues with iris borers can occur, though less common in very wet environments. Generally resistant to most diseases. Fungal issues, like leaf spot or root rot, may occur in poorly drained, stagnant conditions but are uncommon if soil is consistently moist rather than waterlogged.

Reflowering: Iris versicolor typically does not reflower within the same growing season. It has one primary bloom period, usually in late spring to early summer.

Reblooming: It is not considered a reblooming species, so it will usually flower just once per season.

Dividing/Transplanting: Should be divided every 3–4 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor. Division is best done in early fall after flowering or in very early spring, just as growth resumes. Easily transplanted by digging up and replanting rhizomes in new locations with similar moist or boggy soil conditions.

End-of-Season Care: After the growing season, cut back foliage to a few inches above the ground to prevent fungal issues over winter. Mulching in late fall can help insulate roots in colder climates.

Companions: Suitable companions include other moisture-loving plants like Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold), Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower), Carex species (Sedges), and Juncus (Rushes). These plants thrive in similar wet, boggy conditions and can add a variety of colors and textures.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].