Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)Blue flag iris is a striking native perennial that blooms in late spring to early summer. Its large, showy flowers are violet-blue with bold yellow and white markings, rising above fans of green leaves.
Native to the Northeastern United States, including northern New Jersey, this iris is especially common in wetlands, along pond edges and streams, and in wet meadows where soils stay consistently saturated. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for native bees adapted to wetland habitats, and the plant offers shelter for frogs and other small wildlife.
With its strong rhizomes and preference for wet conditions, blue flag iris helps stabilize soil, filter runoff, and improve water quality, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens and shoreline plantings.
Historical records note that some Indigenous communities in the Northeast used parts of the plant for dye.