Iris ensata 'Lion King'
1 GALLON JAPANESE IRIS 'LION KING'
Iris ensata 'Lion King'
USDA Zones 4-9
This herbaceous perennial will grow to be ~3' tall in height with narrow green leaves & large white flowers that are finely veined with pink that sit high above the foliage. The flowers are broader & more flattened than common irises -- reaching up to 10" across! It blooms from early to mid summer. Japanese Irises are the last Irises to bloom, usually about 2 weeks after the Siberian Irises & 3 weeks after the Tall Bearded Irises.
Japenese Irises are easy to grow. they perform best in full sun, partial sun, or partial shade. they love moisture retentive soils & thrive in standing water up to 6" deep. Since they don't do well in standing water during the winter, plant your iris in a pot & place the pot in the water during the growing season. Once winter approaches, move the pot to dryer ground for both winter & fall seasons.
They grow well in ordinary garden soils or perennial borders as long as they receive adequate moisture, especially during the growing season.
Japanese Irises are heavy feeders. Provide a balanced fertilizer, such as 12-12-12 in spring & just before blooming.
They are perfect plants for Japanese gardens, water gardens, & along pools or streams. Plant them in groups, where they look better than placed in a row. They bloom such remarkable flowers that they look great planted with more of the same plant.
You will receive a 1 gallon sized plant bare root without a pot.
Plant Information
Common Name
Japanese Iris 'Lion King'; Japanese
Water Iris
Botanical Name
Iris ensata 'Lion King'
Family
Iridaceae
Plant Type
Herbaceous Perennial
USDA Zones
5-9
Native
Japan
Plant Size
3' - 4' tall with a 1.5' - 2' spread
Flower Description
Large white flowers with finely veined
pink throughout; Flowers sit high above
the foliage
Bloom Time
Summer, Fall
Tolerant
Wet-soils (except in winter); Deer; Salt
Toxicity
Yes
Awards
Plant of Merit
Planting Specifications
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand; Wet-soils; Poorly drained
Soil pH
Acidic
Water
Average - High; Water regularly until plant is
established; In winter it is intolerant of
boggy or wet soils -- may cause root rot
Temperature
Cold Hardy
Fertilizer
Heavy feeders; provide balanced fertilizer
(12-12-12) in summer & rigth before blooming
Characteristics
Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Growth Habit
Clumping, Upright
Growth Rate
2-5 years until ultimate height
Spacing
1.5'
Uses
Focal Plant, Specimen Plant, Accent Plant, Group
Plantings, Woodland Gardens, Borders, Water
Gardens, Ponds & Streams, Naturalized Area,
Containers, Rain gardens, Wall-Side Borders,
Bog Gardens
Maintenance
Medium -- Water regularly until established; Cut
back any dying foliage after flowering
Propagation