Iris ensata Rafferty

Iris Ensata Rafferty is a striking Japanese iris blooming in midseason. Its blossoms exhibit a captivating lavender-pink color, darkest at the center and gradually lightening towards the edges. Introduced by Ensata Gardens in 2000, Iris Rafferty earned the Honorable Mention award in 2004, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a standout and distinctive iris variety to enhance their gardens. 

How to grow Japanese iris

Iris ensata is a full-sun iris growing naturally in open wet fields in eastern Asia. Iris ensata has a vertical growth habit like most other iris species. Its large flowers come in different shades of blue. It needs to be grown in an acid humus-rich soil, with regular watering between early March and the end of July. Iris ensata can be planted in a sunny place in the garden, at the banks of a pond or slow flowing streams, or in wet places that are not flooded during the winter. It may prove necessary to cover the young plants through the first winter (with mulch, straw or bark shavings etc.) especially in the case of late planting.