• Image of Iris nelsonii|Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC|JLBG

    Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC

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Iris nelsonii

Nelson's Water Iris

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 7085

Zones: 6b to 10b

Dormancy:

Height: 48" tall

Culture: Sun

Origin: United States

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


This unusual southern US native was discovered growing in a swamp in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, near the town of Abbeville. Although it is thought to have originated as a menage a trois between Iris fulva, Iris brevicaulis, and Iris giganticaerulea, Iris nelsonii was published as a new species in 1966. Iris nelsonii makes a vigorous clump of narrow, green, deer-resistant foliage, topped in early May with 2" cinnamon/lavender flowers...a hummingbird hangout. Either moist soil or up to 4" of standing water suits this plant just fine.