wetland wildflower
Copper Iris
Iris fulva
Also known as Red Iris
1 of 2Native to the Southeast
Southern Illinois and Missouri, south to Mississippi and Louisiana, along coast to Georgia
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 6–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for full sun to part shade and consistently moist to wet soil. Its red flowers peak in April. At up to 3 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 6–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Copper Iris's red flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. It's a spring display.
Copper Iris blooms red, orange & yellowFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The SoutheastUnited States (10): AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MO, MS, TN. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern Illinois and Missouri, south to Mississippi and Louisiana, along coast to GeorgiaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Saturated, rich soils. Normally grows in acid soils but can tolerate limeThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil pH
- 5.0–8.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- Medium to highHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- LowRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- HighHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 16+ in (41+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, Orange, YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- CapsuleThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bulb, seed, tubersHow to start new plants.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- HighHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- ModerateWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.