Comparing Blue Flag Iris varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Blue Flag Iris family and have some observations to share. essential habitat and breeding ground for pond wildlife varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — dividing overcrowded plants every two or three years in spring applies across all of them.

blanketweed algae competing for nutrients in established ponds affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in an indoor water feature with appropriate species which works well for most varieties. peak flowering period in midsummer is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.