May’s Native Maryland Plant
Iris versicolor
(EYE-riss VER-suh-kuh-lor)
Common Name: Blue flag
The genus Iris contains over 250 species, but only a few of them are native to Maryland. Fortunately, Iris versicolor is one of them. This plant is a rhizomatous monocot¹ with nectar guides on the petals and sepals that are visible to both bees and humans – this is not often the case. Bees are particularly attracted to flowers that are blue, purple, white and yellow and Iris versicolor give them all of that and more. They offer a landing pad (falls) where pollen collects and a substantial nectary. As the bee enters the flower it squeezes under the style arm, scrapes off the pollen, and transfers it to the stigma where it germinates.
Iris flowers are special enough to merit unique terminology and their own day on the calendar – Iris Day in 2021 is on May 8th. These exceptional plants also have some salt-tolerance and are a valuable plant in any naturally wet area of a landscape or in the center of a rain garden since they thrive in moist-wet conditions. Another of their great features - they are deer-tolerant.
A single Iris is a vision to behold but as any good gardener knows – more is always better! Enjoy the blooms of May and be sure to celebrate the iconic and irresistible Iris on May 8th.
¹ -Monocot leaves generally arise from a single point and feature parallel veins. Monocot flower parts are mostly in multiples of three e.g. three sepals, three petals
~ Alison Milligan – Mstr. Gardener/Mstr. Naturalist/Mstr. Watershed Steward
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)