Pinkerton Japanese Iris: Pink Saucers for the Damp Corner of the Yard

Pinkerton Japanese iris grows flowers that look like pink saucers floating above the leaves. Each one is about 7 inches across, close to twice the size of many Siberian irises, with six broad falls veined in darker rose and rippled at the edges and upright pink crests arching over the center.

It is a moisture lover through and through, which means it will never share a bed with lavender. What it can do is give the wettest part of your property a showpiece while the lavender holds down the dry, sunny ground.

Pinkerton at a glance

Wet feet, opposite corner

Lavender dies of wet roots far more often than of cold. Japanese iris is the reverse: it sulks when its soil dries out. So plan Pinkerton for the part of your yard that stays damp, such as a downspout outlet, the low end of a slope or a pond margin, and keep the lavender on high, fast-draining ground.

The timing links them nicely. Pinkerton blooms late in the iris season, sometimes a month after the Siberians begin, so its pink saucers open in early July, about when lavender is in full color across the garden. The Companion Plant Planner can help you map wet and dry zones.

What Japanese iris needs

• Acidic to neutral soil: Japanese irises decline in alkaline soil. Avoid lime and do not plant where you have limed for other crops.
• Consistent moisture: especially from spring through bloom. In hot, dry sites, leaf tips brown and flowers do not last.
• No winter flooding: pond edges are fine, but crowns should not sit underwater in winter.
• After bloom: cut spent stems.
• Dividing: every 3 to 4 years in late summer to keep clumps vigorous.

Fall cleanup and borers

Pinkerton is hardy in Michigan. Mulch new plantings to prevent heaving, and clear away dead foliage in late fall. That cleanup matters, since it removes iris borer eggs before they hatch in spring.

A cut flower worth growing

Pinkerton makes an elegant cut flower. Cut stems when the first bud is just opening; the wide blooms make a quiet centerpiece on their own in a tall vase.

About the bare root plant

Pinkerton is offered as a bare root plant. Plant the rhizome about 2 inches deep in moist, rich soil and water well. See the product page for current availability.

Frequently asked questions

Can I plant Japanese iris in a regular border?

Yes, if you can keep the soil consistently moist through spring and bloom. A dry border will give short-lived flowers.

Is it safe for pets to chew?

No. Iris rhizomes and leaves are irritating and can cause stomach upset if eaten.

Keep exploring

• Pinkerton Japanese Iris Bare Root Plant
• Companion Plant Library
• Companion Plant Planner
• Cut Flower Planner