wetland wildflower
Leafy blue flag
Iris brevicaulis
Also known as Zigzag Iris
1 of 2Native to the Great Plains, the Midwest, and the Southeast
Mississippi to eastern Texas, north to Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and extreme eastern Kansas
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 5–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for sun through shade and consistently moist to wet soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 2 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Leafy blue flag's white flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. This spring display draws bees.
Leafy blue flag blooms white, yellow, blue & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees American Bumble Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Great Plains, the Midwest, and the SoutheastUnited States (13): AL, AR, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, TN, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Mississippi to eastern Texas, north to Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and extreme eastern KansasThe 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 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 5–9 · Canadian 7–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, rich soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, ClayThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Yellow, Blue, PurpleThe 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.