The local native iris are in bloom–larger blue flag– helping us make an easy transition from the woodland wildflowers of spring to the warm season wildflowers that will populate summer marshes, prairies and meadows.
Iris is a huge family of plants, though Ohio features only a few species–northwest Ohio’s own larger blue flag and southern Ohio’s dwarf crested iris.
Both are typically late spring-early summer bloomers that love wet shady locations. Look for them growing in clusters along streams, lakes and ponds, as well as wet meadows and prairies, said Art Weber, Metroparks nature photographer.
Larger blue flag blooms appear at the top of the lily’s two-foot tall, spear-like leaves. “The blooms are elegant in color, pattern and shape,” he said, adding, “and they just might remind you of one of its other nicknames, the fleurde- lis.
Anyone who enjoys including native plants in their garden would find the larger blue flag to be an excellent choice, he noted. “It’s a hardy perennial that loves shade and requires very little care.”
The above photograph was taken by Weber.
