Shreve's Iris (Iris virginica var. shrevei): Southern Blue Flag

Shreve's Iris, also known as Southern Blue Flag, is a variety of the native Blue Flag Iris, botanically Iris virginica var. shrevei. It is a graceful, moisture-loving species native to the central and southeastern United States.

Native Wetland Beauty

Iris virginica var. shrevei forms clumps of slender, bright green leaves, 2 to 3 feet tall. In late spring, it produces branched stems bearing several flowers of a clear, light to medium blue-violet with a yellow signal patch. The blooms are 3 to 4 inches across. It is a lovely, naturalistic iris for wet sites.

Wetland Culture

This iris thrives in consistently moist to wet soils—marshes, pond edges, stream banks, and wet meadows. It prefers full sun to part shade. It is hardy in zones 4 to 9. It spreads slowly by rhizomes to form colonies. It is an excellent choice for rain gardens and native wetland restorations.

Taxonomic Notes

This variety has several synonyms: Iris shrevei, Iris versicolor var. blandescens, and Iris versicolor var. shrevei. It is closely related to the Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) but generally has lighter blue flowers and a more southern distribution.