Watergarden Paradise

Aquatic Nursery

Iris ensata & hybrids (Japanese Iris or Hanashobu)

Although not true aquatics, the Iris ensata (a species from Japan) are moisture loving irises. They flourish in ponds inundated with water during the growing months (spring and summer), but will die if left waterlogged during a freezing cold winter. Remove the irises from the pond in winter if the pond is likely to freeze. Only submerged half depth of the pot into water. This would allow the plant roots to get easy access to water when needed. For best results, use fresh potting medium each time they are repotted. These irises will thrive in acidic soil. They will flower during the first month of summer and will go completely dormant during winter. The large flowers are one of the reasons they are used in landscaped gardens. Approximate growth is 1m to 1.5m in height under ideal conditions. Dispatch from late June to late August only.

Planting instructions is available for download here. Don't forget to include fertiliser tablets in your plantings.

NOTE: Plants on this page CANNOT be sent into Tasmania.

All plants are supplied in BARE-ROOTED form (i.e., unpotted and free from soil media).


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Iris ensata

Iris ensata (Japanese Iris)
This is the wild species form with attractive dark reddish-violet flowers and contrasting green leaves. Great for colour impact in landscaped Japanese gardens. Very rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata (Light Purple Form)

Iris ensata - Light Purple Form (Japanese Iris)
The light purple form of the species plant with bright golden yellow signals. An easy grower and good increaser. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Anytus'

Iris ensata 'Anytus' (Japanese Iris)
(Innerst, 1981) Large double white flowers with strong golden yellow signals. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Attraction'

Iris ensata 'Attraction' (Japanese Iris)
(Waterer, 1927) Large double faint silvery grey-blue flowers with golden yellow signals. Beautiful in mass plantings. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Beni Tsubaki'

Iris ensata 'Beni Tsubaki' (Japanese Iris)
(Hirao, 1970) Beautiful violet-rose flowers with white veining. Striking white style arms catches attention. Rare. Not for Tas. Limited supply.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

AUD $30.25 each

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Iris 'Blue Lagoon'

Iris ensata 'Blue Lagoon' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1955) Beautiful double rich gentian blue flowers with faint white veins. Bright golden yellow signals. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Chidori'

Iris ensata 'Chidori' (Japanese Iris)
(Hirao, 1956) Beautiful extra large double plate-like white flowers faintly blushed with lilac-blue. The blooms are slightly ruffled and very showy. Very Limited Stock. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Embossed'

Iris ensata 'Embossed' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1956) White flowers heavily veined medium blue with purple style-arms. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Flashing Koi'

Iris ensata 'Flashing Koi' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1978) NEW! Very striking large flowers with white overlaid with crimson-red at petal centre. Eye-catching yellow signal. Rare. Not for Tas. Limited supply.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Freckled Geisha'

Iris ensata 'Freckled Geisha' (Japanese Iris)
(Reid, 1981) Beautiful ruffled white flowers edged with maroon pink and sprinkled with mauve. Payne Award winner 1987. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Frostbound'

Iris ensata 'Frostbound' (Japanese Iris)
(Rich, 1971) NEW! Beautiful and intense large plue-violet flowers with distinctive narrow white edging. Honorable Mention 1972. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Genji Botaru'

Iris ensata 'Genji Botaru' (Japanese Iris)
(Hirao, 1970) NEW! From our collection comes this beautiful red-violet flowers over white marbling. The stylearms are off-white with marbling patterns. A mid to late season bloomer that gives excellent effect in mass plantings. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Gosan-no-Takara'

Iris ensata 'Gosan-no-Takara' (Japanese Iris)
(Society for Japanese Irises, 1992) A shorter growing iris variety with flowers that sometimes has 3 or 5 petals. Flowers are white, edged with red-purple and signals are bright yellow. Excellent for the smaller pond or water garden. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Island Paradise'

Iris ensata 'Island Paradise' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1956) NEW! From our collection comes this classic variety with beautiful flaring double white flowers heavy with red-purple edging. An early season bloomer with bold colours. The is the true cultivar plant and not the mislabelled plant sold under this name in Australia. Very Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'My Heavenly Dream'

Iris ensata 'My Heavenly Dream' (Japanese Iris)
(Worley, 1964) NEW! Beautiful red-purple flowers with veining towards the fuchsia-pink edges. Striking double flowers. Honorable Mention 1967. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Nishikigi'

Iris ensata 'Nishikigi' (Japanese Iris)
(Shuho-En Nursery, 1923-1930) / (Walter Marx, 1950) Beautiful double flowers of pearly white marbling over blue-purple. A highly sought after variety with very interesting patterns. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Ocean Mist'

Iris ensata 'Ocean Mist' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1953) A very beautiful and very popular variety. Light to medium blue double flower with white centre. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Pastel Princess'

Iris ensata 'Pastel Princess' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1956) Attractive flowers of pale orchid pink-lavender to white. Flaring wide petals and nice big blooms. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Peacock Dance'

Iris ensata 'Peacock Dance' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1955) Very beautiful near white flowers with violet-blue veining and red-violet centres. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Prairie Edge'

Iris ensata 'Prairie Edge' (Japanese Iris)
(Hazzard, 1968) Interesting white flowers with dark violet-blue edging. Very beautiful. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Prairie Noble'

Iris ensata 'Prairie Noble' (Japanese Iris)
(Hazzard, 1972) NEW! Attractive flowers with strong blue-violet veining over white. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Reign of Glory'

Iris ensata 'Reign of Glory' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1953) Double flowers edged with violet-blue. Moderately ruffled with yellow-green signals. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Returning Tide'

Iris ensata 'Returning Tide' (Japanese Iris)
(McEwen, 1976) One of the best and most reliable variety that we've grown to date. Beautiful pale violet-blue to white flowers with dark violet-blue standards. The yellow signals are almost hidden. Highly recommended. Payne Award winner 1982. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Rose Queen'

Iris ensata 'Rose Queen' (Japanese Iris)
(Society for Japanese Irises, 1915) An older and more charming hybrid introduced into the gardening world back in 1915. Very beautiful soft rose-pink single flowers. Excellent for pastel colour themed gardens. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Royal Crown'

Iris ensata 'Royal Crown' (Japanese Iris)
(Marx, 1960) NEW! A late season bloomer with really beautiful double white flowers edged with thick deep beetroot-red border. Striking colour combination. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Summer Snowflake'

Iris ensata 'Summer Snowflake' (Japanese Iris)
(Rich, 1971) Attractive double white flowers with a small yellow-green signal. Large flowers with slightly ruffled edges. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Taffeta and Velvet'

Iris ensata 'Taffeta and Velvet' (Japanese Iris)
(Ackerman, 1990) Very beautiful dark purple velvety flowers with ruffled edges. Golden yellow signals. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Variegata' 'Silverband'

Iris ensata 'Variegata' / 'Silverband' (Japanese Iris)
(Bauer-Coble, 1989) A very attractive variegated leaf form of Iris ensata spp. spontanea. Bold eye-catching single dark reddish-violet flowers against silvery white and green striped foliage. Used in Japanese style landscaped gardens for the colour effect. VERY LIMITED SUPPLY. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris ensata 'Worley Pink'

Iris ensata 'Worley Pink' (Japanese Iris)
(Worley, 1966) NEW! A classic variety. Mid-season bloomer with gorgeous double lilac-pink flowers. Great effect for mass plantings. Honorable Mention 1967. Payne Award 1970. Rare. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

Currently Not Available



Iris 'Kinboshi'
Iris 'Kinboshi'

Iris x pseudata 'Kinboshi' (Japanese Iris / Eye Shadow Iris)
Iris x pseudata 'Kinboshi'
(Ueki, 1971) A Japanese bred iris meaning "Golden Star". Lovely pale golden yellow flowers with darker yellow eye-zone. Distinctive and beautiful bright yellow-green foliage. This is one of the first crosses between Iris pseudacorus and Iris ensata. A favourite in Japanese iris gardens. Not for Tas.
Tolerant of cold temperate climate  Tolerant of tropical climate  Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate  Full Sun  Part Sun & Part Shade  Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features  Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens  Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams

AUD $24.75 each

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Code explanations:

Tolerant of cold temperate climate = Tolerant of cold temperate climate
Tolerant of tropical climate = Tolerant of tropical climate
Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate = Tolerant of temperate & sub-tropical climate
Frost Sensitive - may not survive in climate subjected to frost = Frost Sensitive - may not survive in climate subjected to frost
Full Shade or Indirect Sunlight = Full Shade or Indirect Sunlight
Full Sun = Full Sun
Part Sun & Part Shade = Part Sun & Part Shade
Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features = Small growing - Suitable for small size water gardens or tub style water features
Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens = Medium growing - Suitable for medium size water gardens
Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams = Large growing - Suitable for large size water gardens or naturalizing in dams
Great as cut flowers = Great as cut flowers
Native to Australia = Native to Australia