Iris Ensata 'Double Delight'

Japanese Iris

Iris ensata ‘Double Delight’ — commonly called Japanese iris — is a moisture-loving perennial with a vigorous, upright clump of grassy deep green foliage and very large, double-petalled bright sky-blue flowers in early to midsummer. Like other Japanese irises, it has broad, flattened blooms and performs especially well at pond edges, in rain gardens, or in rich garden beds that stay consistently moist through the growing season.

Type: Perennial
Mature Size: 18–23 in. wide × 39–47 in. high
USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Upright, clumping
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Neutral to acidic, rich, moisture-retentive soil; tolerates clay and wet conditions during the growing season
Water: Medium to wet; prefers abundant moisture while actively growing and blooming, but should not sit in boggy or saturated soil in winter
Wildlife: Deer resistant; rabbit resistant

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for waterside plantings, rain gardens, moist borders, containers, and cut flowers. Its bold blooms and strong vertical foliage also make it a striking specimen or accent plant.

Care: Keep evenly moist from spring through bloom. Divide every 3–4 years in late summer after flowering to maintain vigor. Fertilize in spring and again just after bloom. Plant where crowns can stay moist in season but not waterlogged in winter. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

36-48''

Width

18-24''

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Summer, Mid Summer

Flower color

Blue

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Dark Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained, Tolerant of Clay

Landscape use

Container

Shape

Clumping, Upright

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No