Iris virginica var. shrevei (Southern Blue Flag)
Iris virginica var. shrevei (Southern Blue Flag)
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Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) expresses the viable seed content of a seed lot using its purity and germination or viability test results. It helps you compare seed lots and calculate how much bulk seed is needed to meet a specified PLS planting rate.
PLS weight and bag weight
PLS weight is not the same as the total weight of seed in a bag. For example, a lot with 80% purity and 75% viability contains 60% PLS: 80 × 75 ÷ 100 = 60. Supplying 10 lb PLS from that lot requires about 16.67 lb of bulk seed.
Use the current seed test and the stated basis of the mix specification. Germination calculations may include applicable hard or dormant seed. Seed-count estimates also require the number of seeds per pound; PLS alone does not provide a seed count.
What to check when buying a mix
Check whether each rate is stated in PLS pounds, bulk pounds, or a combination. A mix with both bases should not be described as having an all-PLS total.
PLS does not remove weed seeds or guarantee establishment. Review the seed label and analysis for weed content, and match site preparation, planting conditions and follow-up management to your project.
Sources: USDA NRCS, Understanding Pure Live Seed and The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
0.01 pounds = 0.16 ounces
- 0.1 pounds = 1.6 ounces
- 0.25 pounds = 4 ounces
- 0.5 pounds = 8 ounces
- 0.75 pounds = 12 ounces
- 1.00 pounds = 16 ounces
Shreve's iris forms clumps of long, sword-shaped leaves in moist or wet ground. Too much shade can suppress flowers, and drying soil can reduce the planting over time.
For Iris virginica var. shrevei, choose full to partial sun and wet to moist soil. Recorded habitats include wet to moist black-soil prairies; Prairie swales; Soggy riverside meadows; Open bottomland woods; Swamps; Fens; Seeps; Pond and stream margins. Reported height: 2-3 ft.
Growth habit: clumps of upright, sword-like leaves; rhizomes often form colonies. Allow space for this growth between neighboring plants over several seasons, rather than spacing only for the size of a young plant.
Plant specifications
Key growing facts
| Sunlight | Full to partial sun |
|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Wet to moist |
| Height | 2-3 ft |
| Bloom season | Late spring to early summer |
Show / hide ▾Native Landscaping Companion Plants
Build a layered native planting with grasses and sedges as a matrix, ground covers, seasonal flowers, and plants for texture. Explore the full curated Rain Garden & Wet Prairie list below. Match light, soil moisture, mature size, and spreading habit to your site.
Native Landscaping Guide — plan your planting
Hover over a plant name or expand Growing information for details. Short: under 2 ft · Medium: 2 to under 4 ft · Tall: 4 ft or more.
Rain Garden & Wet Prairie
Choose plants for the moisture and light in each part of your rain garden. Basin plants tolerate wetter soil; moist slopes drain between storms. Prairie dropseed is for the dry upper margin only. Shaded, draining positions suit the spring woodland companions.
Shop rain garden landscaping plants
Click the buttons below to expand a list of species.
Grasses & Sedges — Matrix Species
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Brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Dense, upright clumps · Note: Useful as a wet-soil matrix; can self-seed freely.
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Meadow sedge (Carex granularis) — not currently listed for sale
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-green foliage; green to brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Low, leafy clumps · Note: Also called pale sedge; useful as a low matrix in moist soil. Not currently listed for sale.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / shaded lower slope · Form: Arching, palm-like foliage · Note: Best in moist pockets; spreading clumps provide distinctive foliage.
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Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — Margins only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Late summer–fall seedheads · Light: Sun · Moisture: Average to dry; well-drained · Rain garden position: MARGINS ONLY — dry upper rim · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Margin-only exception: keep out of the wet basin and saturated soil. Foliage is usually 1–2 ft tall.
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Small yellow fox sedge (Carex annectens)
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; yellow-brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Clump-forming sedge for moist portions that drain between rains.
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Soft rush (Juncus effusus)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green stems; brown flower clusters · Season: Summer flowers; foliage interest · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lowest moist areas · Form: Upright, cylindrical stems · Note: Also called common rush; rhizomes can expand clumps.
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Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist · Rain garden position: Cool, moist slope · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Best in cooler, moist pockets; not a dry-prairie grass.
Ground Covers
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Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Spreading, low colonies · Note: Aggressive rhizomes can crowd smaller plants; allow room to spread.
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Common blue violet (Viola sororia) — Ground cover
Growing information
Height: 0.25–0.75 ft (Short) · Color: Purple-blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part sun to shade · Moisture: Moist; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Low, spreading ground cover · Note: Reseeds freely and can spread strongly; best where a spreading groundcover is desired.
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Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring (April–May) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Moist slope / shaded lower slope · Form: Low foliage; upright flower stems · Note: Can spread aggressively and crowd smaller plants. Foliage is lower than the flowering stems.
Flowers
Spring
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Blue flag iris (Iris virginica var. shrevei)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer (May–June) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, sword-shaped foliage · Note: Rhizomes can form colonies; allow room to expand.
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Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Spreading, low colonies · Note: Aggressive rhizomes can crowd smaller plants; allow room to spread.
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Common blue violet (Viola sororia) — Ground cover
Growing information
Height: 0.25–0.75 ft (Short) · Color: Purple-blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part sun to shade · Moisture: Moist; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Low, spreading ground cover · Note: Reseeds freely and can spread strongly; best where a spreading groundcover is desired.
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Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) — User choice / optional
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Branching, loose clumps · Note: User choice / optional. An informal, naturalistic look—best for gardeners who enjoy a wilder style.
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Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring (April–May) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Moist slope / shaded lower slope · Form: Low foliage; upright flower stems · Note: Can spread aggressively and crowd smaller plants. Foliage is lower than the flowering stems.
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Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans) — Moist, draining shade
Growing information
Height: 0.5–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pale blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part sun / partial shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Rain garden position: Shaded upper slope · Form: Low, leafy clumps · Note: Use a sheltered, moist position that drains; avoid standing water and hot, dry exposure.
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Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
Growing information
Height: 1–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Yellow · Season: Early spring (April–May) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet; consistently moist · Rain garden position: Wet basin / seep-like area · Form: Low, rounded clumps · Note: Best where roots stay moist; may go dormant after flowering, especially as soil dries.
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Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) — Moist, draining shade
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue; pink buds · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Spring ephemeral clumps · Note: Spring ephemeral; summer dormant. Avoid hot, exposed or persistently waterlogged positions.
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Wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)
Growing information
Height: 1–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pale blue to nearly white · Season: Late spring (May–June) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Draining moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Spring bulb; upright flower spikes · Note: Spring ephemeral; dormant by midsummer. Can be slow to establish; avoid prolonged standing water.
Summer
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Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Growing information
Height: 1–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow with a dark center · Season: Summer · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to average; drains between rains · Rain garden position: Upper slope / draining wet-mesic edge · Form: Upright, short-lived clumps · Note: Use the draining upper part of the rain garden. Usually biennial or short-lived; renews by seed.
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Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-purple · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / lower slope · Form: Bushy, spreading colonies · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seed; keep away from small, delicate companions.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Red · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; vivid red flowers.
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Common ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Basin / moist slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Can reach the tall category; use moist pockets.
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Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Growing information
Height: 4–7 ft (Tall) · Color: White · Season: Early summer–midsummer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Tall, slender flower spires · Note: Tall; use toward the back of a planting.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / moist shaded slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; can self-seed into suitable gaps.
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Marsh blazing star (Liatris spicata)
Growing information
Height: 2–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple · Season: Midsummer–late summer · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Also called dense blazing star; best in moist soil that drains between storms.
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Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Lavender-blue · Season: Summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, leafy stems · Note: Can self-seed into open, moist soil.
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Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink to lavender · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; give it room and strong companions.
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Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Growing information
Height: 2–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Allow room for tall, branching stems in moist soil.
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Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Growing information
Height: 4–7 ft (Tall) · Color: Dusty pink · Season: Summer–early fall (July–September) · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Tall, broad flower heads · Note: Tall; can be aggressive. Best for larger rain gardens with room to spread; may overwhelm smaller companions.
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Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Growing information
Height: 2–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, branching clumps · Note: Also called rose milkweed; avoid prolonged drought.
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White turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to consistently moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Keep consistently moist; spreads gradually by rhizomes.
Fall
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Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) — wholesale only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-purple · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / lower slope · Form: Bushy, spreading colonies · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seed; keep away from small, delicate companions.
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Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)
Growing information
Height: 1–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–fall (August–October) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Compact, upright stems · Note: Slow to establish; pair with companions that will not crowd it.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Red · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; vivid red flowers.
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Common ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Basin / moist slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Can reach the tall category; use moist pockets.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / moist shaded slope · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Needs consistent moisture; can self-seed into suitable gaps.
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New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Growing information
Height: 3–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple to pink · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Tall, branching stems · Note: Tall; can spread aggressively, especially by seed.
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Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink to lavender · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright flower spikes · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; give it room and strong companions.
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Ohio goldenrod (Oligoneuron ohioense)
Growing information
Height: 2–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright stems; flat-topped flower clusters · Note: A late-season choice for moist prairie conditions.
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Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Growing information
Height: 2–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, branching stems · Note: Allow room for tall, branching stems in moist soil.
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Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Growing information
Height: 4–7 ft (Tall) · Color: Dusty pink · Season: Summer–early fall (July–September) · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Tall, broad flower heads · Note: Tall; can be aggressive. Best for larger rain gardens with room to spread; may overwhelm smaller companions.
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White turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to consistently moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Keep consistently moist; spreads gradually by rhizomes.
Texture
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Blue flag iris (Iris virginica var. shrevei)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer (May–June) · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Upright, sword-shaped foliage · Note: Rhizomes can form colonies; allow room to expand.
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Brown fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lower slope · Form: Dense, upright clumps · Note: Useful as a wet-soil matrix; can self-seed freely.
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Meadow sedge (Carex granularis) — not currently listed for sale
Growing information
Height: 0.75–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-green foliage; green to brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to wet · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Low, leafy clumps · Note: Also called pale sedge; useful as a low matrix in moist soil. Not currently listed for sale.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / shaded lower slope · Form: Arching, palm-like foliage · Note: Best in moist pockets; spreading clumps provide distinctive foliage.
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Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — Margins only
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Late summer–fall seedheads · Light: Sun · Moisture: Average to dry; well-drained · Rain garden position: MARGINS ONLY — dry upper rim · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Margin-only exception: keep out of the wet basin and saturated soil. Foliage is usually 1–2 ft tall.
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River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Growing information
Height: 1.5–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green to bronze hanging seedheads · Season: Summer–fall seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Rain garden position: Shaded, draining slope · Form: Arching clumps · Note: Can seed aggressively; ornamental hanging seedheads.
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Small yellow fox sedge (Carex annectens)
Growing information
Height: 1.5–3.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; yellow-brown seedheads · Season: Late spring–summer seedheads · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Moist to wet-mesic · Rain garden position: Moist slope / wet prairie · Form: Upright clumps · Note: Clump-forming sedge for moist portions that drain between rains.
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Soft rush (Juncus effusus)
Growing information
Height: 1–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green stems; brown flower clusters · Season: Summer flowers; foliage interest · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Rain garden position: Basin / lowest moist areas · Form: Upright, cylindrical stems · Note: Also called common rush; rhizomes can expand clumps.
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Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Growing information
Height: 1–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; airy tan seedheads · Season: Summer seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist · Rain garden position: Cool, moist slope · Form: Fine-textured clumps · Note: Best in cooler, moist pockets; not a dry-prairie grass.
Show / hide ▾Growing & planting details
| Growth habit | Clumps of upright, sword-like leaves; rhizomes often form colonies |
|---|---|
| Root form | Fibrous roots; Rhizomes |
Plant identification & seed reference
| Botanical name | Iris virginica var. shrevei |
|---|---|
| Other common names | blue flag |
| Plant family | Iridaceae |
Planting, growth & seasonal care
Flowering season: late spring to early summer. Use this timing when planning seasonal interest with the other plants in the bed.
Use the selected product option to confirm the supply format and quantity. For a mixed planting, calculate the order from the actual species and layout; a plant’s mature height alone does not determine a seed rate or plug spacing.
Show / hide ▾Plant communities & associatesDocumented community records
Spring Bay Fen Nature Preserve — wet-mesic floodplain forest
Surveyed in 2007, 2008 and 2011. Wet-mesic floodplain forest recorded separately from the adjoining fen. These dated records do not establish presence today.
Other native plants recorded in this surveyed community: Acer nigrum, Acer saccharinum, Agastache nepetoides, Amorpha fruticosa, Anemone canadensis, Arisaema dracontium, Arisaema triphyllum, Blephilia hirsuta, Carex blanda, Carex emoryi.
Murphy, Phillippe & Ebinger 2021, Appendix 1. Selected associates from the same community; records do not show immediate neighbors or prescribe planting ratios.
Spring Bay Fen Nature Preserve — tall shrub fen
Surveyed in 2007, 2008 and 2011. Tall shrub fen on Lena muck, recorded separately from the adjoining forest and filled upland. These dated records do not establish presence today.
Other native plants recorded in this surveyed community: Acer saccharinum, Amorpha fruticosa, Asclepias incarnata, Blephilia hirsuta, Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, Caltha palustris, Carex hystericina, Carex stipata, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Chelone glabra.
Murphy, Phillippe & Ebinger 2021, Appendix 1. Selected associates from the same community; records do not show immediate neighbors or prescribe planting ratios.
Show / hide ▾Native range & C-value
This is a partial list of native states verified for variety shrevei, using explicitly named native-range endpoints and state floras. Several records apply only to parts of a state. Unlisted states remain unverified here; the broader species distribution and general occurrence map are not used as native evidence.
State nativity describes a broad range. Use the Chicago-region assessment for local context; a state listing does not establish county nativity.
| Wetland indicator — Corps Chicago 2017 table | OBL |
|---|---|
| C-value — Chicago region, Flora 2017 | 5 |
| Chicago-region native — Flora 2017 | Yes |
| Native range — U.S. states | Verified states (partial list): Alabama, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma. |
| County nativity | Not yet verified; occurrence records do not establish nativity. |
Show / hide ▾Pollinators & wildlife
Caterpillars recorded on Iris — genus-level evidence
These records concern the plant genus Iris, not necessarily Iris virginica var. shrevei. They do not establish a host relationship for every species in the genus, specialist status, or occurrence at your location. The selected insects are listed as native in the source’s North American study area.
Macromoth: Amphipoea americana (American Ear Moth, American Borer); Amphipoea keiferi; Amphipoea pacifica; Ctenucha virginica (Virginia Ctenucha ); Helotropha reniformis (American Crescent Borer, Reniform Celaena, Reniform Helotropha); Lophocampa ingens; Orgyia leucostigma (White-Marked Tussock Moth ); Papaipema cataphracta (Burdock Border, Potato-Stalk Borer); Papaipema nebris (Stalk Borer); Tetracis cachexiata (White Slant-Line); Xanthopastis regnatrix (Convict Caterpillar, Spanish Quaker, Spanish Moth); Xylena curvimacula (Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass Moth ); Xylena nupera (Red Swordgrass Moth, American Swordgrass Moth, False Armyworm).
Micromoth: Endothenia hebesana (Verbena Bud Moth); Endothenia rubipunctana; Moodna ostrinella (Darker Moodna).
Show / hide ▾Frequently asked questions
What are the ideal growing conditions for Southern Blue Flag?
Light: Full to partial sun. Soil moisture: Wet to moist.
Is Southern Blue Flag deer and herbivore resistant?
Species-specific deer resistance has not been verified here. Even plants described as resistant may be browsed. Use physical protection where deer damage is a concern.
When should I expect Southern Blue Flag to bloom?
Typical flowering period: Late spring to early summer. Timing varies with location and weather.
Show / hide ▾Sources & ecological notes
Native range & ecological ratings: Flora of the Chicago Region (2017), via Universal FQA; USACE Chicago FQA (2017).
Growing conditions & other references: Illinois Wildflowers, John Hilty.
Wildlife records: Shropshire & Tallamy: caterpillar hosts (2025).
Native range does not identify the origin of the seed or plants offered. Community and wildlife records apply to the locations and conditions described.
Research notes & credits
USACE/ERDC fqadata — Chicago Region FQA 2017. Herman, B., Sliwinski, R. & Whitaker, S. (2017), Chicago Region FQA Calculator; distributed by USACE/ERDC in fqadata under CC0. Values may differ from Flora of the Chicago Region (2017). CC0 dedication.
Additional reference: Open Database License 1.0.
Flora rating attribution: Kenneth Johnson (2018), Flora of the Chicago Region UFQA Database, following Gerould Wilhelm and Laura Rericha (2017), Flora of the Chicago Region: A Floristic and Ecological Synthesis. Individual rating facts are presented with original commentary; the calculator’s software license is not treated as a license for the underlying Flora publication.
Data adapted from Shropshire, K.J. & Tallamy, D.W. (2025), Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico, supplementary material 1. This selected and reformatted host dataset is available under the Open Database License 1.0. No endorsement implied.
Genus-level research records
These records concern the plant genus. They do not establish that each insect feeds on this particular plant species.
| Record ID | Scientific insect name | Common name | Source group | Plant genus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200718 | Amphipoea americana | American Ear Moth, American Borer | macromoth | Iris |
| 200722 | Amphipoea keiferi | macromoth | Iris | |
| 200724 | Amphipoea pacifica | macromoth | Iris | |
| 203646 | Ctenucha virginica | Virginia Ctenucha | macromoth | Iris |
| 206757 | Helotropha reniformis | American Crescent Borer, Reniform Celaena, Reniform Helotropha | macromoth | Iris |
| 207901 | Lophocampa ingens | macromoth | Iris | |
| 209084 | Orgyia leucostigma | White-Marked Tussock Moth | macromoth | Iris |
| 209261 | Papaipema cataphracta | Burdock Border, Potato-Stalk Borer | macromoth | Iris |
| 209281 | Papaipema nebris | Stalk Borer | macromoth | Iris |
| 212378 | Tetracis cachexiata | White Slant-Line | macromoth | Iris |
| 212785 | Xanthopastis regnatrix | Convict Caterpillar, Spanish Quaker, Spanish Moth | macromoth | Iris |
| 212898 | Xylena curvimacula | Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass Moth | macromoth | Iris |
| 212899 | Xylena nupera | Red Swordgrass Moth, American Swordgrass Moth, False Armyworm | macromoth | Iris |
| 204639 | Endothenia hebesana | Verbena Bud Moth | micromoth | Iris |
| 204647 | Endothenia rubipunctana | micromoth | Iris | |
| 208504 | Moodna ostrinella | Darker Moodna | micromoth | Iris |
Earlier taxonomic comparison: retained taxon source. The current state treatment is described below.
State-range sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Iris virginica var. shrevei; Ladd and Thomas (2015), Ecological checklist of the Missouri flora; Vascular Plant Communities of the Green River Lowlands in Northwestern Illinois; USDA Forest Service, Our Native Irises — Iris virginica varieties. This is a partial list of native states verified for variety shrevei, using explicitly named native-range endpoints and state floras. Several records apply only to parts of a state. Unlisted states remain unverified here; the broader species distribution and general occurrence map are not used as native evidence.
Parts-of-state qualifications in the source: New York western; North Carolina western; Minnesota southern; Nebraska southeastern; Kansas extreme northeastern; Oklahoma extreme northeastern.
Growing guidance: Illinois Extension — Keeping deer out of the yard and garden. Selected facts in original wording. General deer advice is not a species resistance rating.
Additional community records: Murphy, Phillippe & Ebinger (2021), Spring Bay Fen flora and vegetation; Wildflower Center synonym record — Iris virginica var. shrevei. Selected facts and taxonomic links; source spellings and historical survey dates retained.
Planting references and review
Reviewed: 2026-09-26
Plant spacing:Select a spacing suited to your site and planting design.
Seeding rate: Use a site- and method-specific specification. No verified automatic species rate is supplied.
Seed preparation: A species-specific preparation method and named code system need confirmation for the supplied seed lot.
Plant Shipping & Care
Plant Shipping & Care
We want to ensure that our customers get what they want, a native backyard oasis. To do that, we need to follow a few simple guidelines and give you some information and pointers to make sure you get your plants delivered in a healthy state.
As a reminder, you will receive an email to confirm your pickup or shipping window just before the plants are ready. See Order Fulfillment below for seasonal fulfillment windows.
Choices to Receive Your Plants & Accessories
- Retail online orders: Plant and seed orders ship only, except eligible trees and shrubs offered for pickup. Shipping charges are calculated at checkout.
- Retail pickup — trees and shrubs only: Pickup is available by prior arrangement for eligible woody plants. Some container options are offered for scheduled pickup only. Check the selected product option and the cart pickup instructions before ordering. Pickup and shipped items require separate orders.
- Wholesale orders: Plants, trees and shrubs are available for pickup by arrangement. Delivery can also be arranged for your order. Wholesale pickup is free. All seed orders ship, including wholesale seed.
- Pickup locations and dates are confirmed by email. Please wait for confirmation before traveling to a pickup site. Our offices are not retail stores or nursery pickup locations.
Order Fulfilment - When Your Plants or Other Items Will Be Ready
We take orders all year long and seed is shipped all year, but we only provide the plants to you in certain fulfillment windows to ensure healthy plants.
Wholesale Orders
- Plant pickup and delivery are arranged for your order. Seed ships only.
Retail & Website Orders
- Seed Typically Ships Out Within One Week Of Order All Year Long
- Typically, single species flats ship when ready, sometimes as soon as early to mid-April (depends on weather) through early-October.
- Mixed species kits are batched and shipped as indicated on the product page.
- If a plant order is placed while outside of the plant fulfillment window your plants will be reserved through your payment, however, the order will not be fulfilled and shipped until the following spring. We don't want to provide you plants when they won't be happy during the cold winter months.
- Early in the spring and later in the fall certain species may be dormant or partially dormant with brown leaves, however they will return to grow healthy next growing season.
- Your order may arrive in several different shipments.
- If certain plants within an order will not be available until a later date, we may choose to hold the full order until all are ready. In certain circumstances, we may choose to send them in two separate shipments
- Fulfillment is always dependent upon plant availability. We try our best but sometimes plants do not overwinter well and perish. If a plant is on back order you will receive an email indicating the estimated shipping date. If we can not provide the plant we will first notify you and give you an option of substitution or a refund of that individual species.
- Plants are typically only packaged and shipped on Mondays to ensure they do not sit in the harsh delivery facility for extended periods of time over the weekend. You will receive a confirmation email once your delivery has been shipped and to estimate your delivery date.
- Apparel & accessories are ready typically within one to two weeks. See product page for holiday shipping.
Where We Ship
Natural Communities ships native plants and seed from multiple supplier locations across the Midwest. Shipping coverage extends beyond our local consultation area; see the shipping map below. Availability and delivery options depend on the product and destination. Check the product details and shipping options at checkout, or contact us before ordering if you need help confirming coverage.
Our on-site ecological consulting serves the greater Chicago region and southeastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area. Consultations take place at your property by appointment. Our offices are not walk-in retail stores or plant pickup sites.
What to Expect When Receiving Your Delivery
- Your plants will be packaged with the utmost care
- We will need to cut back certain plants prior to shipping. This seems counter-intuitive, however, the fewer leaves the less water the plants can lose during shipping, resulting in healthier plants for you. This also enables the plants to fit within the protective packaging and shipped safely.
Shipments
- Larger plant shipments will look similar to the picture below with a tray of your plants and a cardboard box to protect them during shipping.
What to Do With Your Plants After Receiving Your Delivery
- Unpack your order IMMEDIATELY
- Inspect for damage and report any issues immediately to Natives@NaturalCommunities.net
- Water your plants
- Install your plants as quickly as possible and water the entire garden area thoroughly
- If you cannot install your plants immediately
- Some plants may not be in a container, put them into some kind of a container such as a paper cup with loose soil until installation
- Make sure each plant is receiving the appropriate amount of light.
- Continue to water daily each morning and possibly again in the afternoon
- No additional fertilizer is needed
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.