Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Center of Attention Japanese Iris: Ruffled Plates for Wet Ground
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Center of Attention Japanese iris opens large, flat, ruffled flowers in pale lavender-violet, finely veined in deeper violet, edged in silver and marked with a yellow-orange signal. It is a double-form iris with six broad falls, so each bloom looks like a violet plate floating above the leaves.
It blooms after the Siberian irises finish, stretching the iris season into the start of lavender season. But it wants rich, steadily moist soil that would rot lavender, so it needs its own wet spot.
Center of Attention at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Iris ensata 'Center of Attention' |
| Flowers | Pale lavender-violet, veined darker, silver edges, yellow-orange signal |
| Foliage | Narrow, upright, sword-like, mid-green |
| Size | About 36 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-June, peaks late June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Bees and hummingbirds visit; deer and rabbits usually pass it by |
Lavender color, opposite conditions
The flower color is pure lavender garden: soft violet with silver edges. The growing conditions are the reverse of lavender's. Japanese iris wants moisture all spring and through bloom, rich soil and an acidic to neutral pH, while lavender wants lean, dry, often slightly alkaline ground. So plan them as neighbors. Put the iris in the low, damp part of the yard, at the edge of a pond or in a rain garden that catches runoff, and keep the lavender up on the dry, sunny slope.
Seen together from across the garden, the two make a lovely echo in late June. The Companion Plant Planner is a good place to map wet and dry areas.
Planting and care
- Planting: set the bare root plant in rich, moist soil and water it in well.
- Water: keep the soil consistently moist, especially from spring through bloom. Hot, dry sites brown the leaf tips and shorten the flowers.
- Soil pH: acidic to neutral. Avoid lime; Japanese irises decline in alkaline soil.
- Winter water: pond edges are fine, but the crown should not sit underwater in winter.
- Cleanup: cut spent stems after flowering, and clear dead foliage in late fall to remove iris borer eggs.
- Dividing: every 3 to 4 years, once clumps get crowded.
Mulch new plantings for their first winter to prevent heaving.
As a cut flower
Center of Attention is a good cut flower. Cut stems as the first bud starts to open and set them in cool water. One or two of these ruffled blooms make a striking arrangement with a handful of fresh lavender. Iris leaves and rhizomes are irritating and should not be eaten.
Frequently asked questions
When does it bloom compared with lavender?
Mid to late June, after the Siberian irises and right as many English lavenders begin.
Can it grow in a regular garden bed?
Only if you can keep the soil consistently moist and acidic to neutral. A rain garden or pond edge is easier.
How is it sold?
As a bare root plant. See the product page for current availability.
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