Iris ensata 'Sensation' is a bold Japanese iris variety featuring rich violet purple petals with dramatic veining and a contrasting golden signal. This selection is ideal for water gardens and pondside settings.
Height & Spread: 30 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Early to midsummer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part sun
Soil Preference: Moist to wet, humus rich soils; prefers slightly acidic conditions
Watering Needs: High; requires consistently moist soil, especially in spring and summer
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Native Status
Not native to North America. This Japanese iris cultivar originates from Asia and is cultivated widely for ornamental use in temperate gardens and water features.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Attracts Monarchs and Red Admirals with its open, nectar bearing flowers in early summer.
Bees
- Frequented by native sweat bees and bumblebees that forage along the petals and golden signal zones.
Beneficial Insects
- Encourages visits from hoverflies and parasitic wasps that help reduce garden pests naturally.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to promote healthy root spread and upright flowering clumps in moist soils.
Landscape Placement
- Best suited for planting beside ponds, streams, or in rain gardens where dramatic bloom color and vertical structure enhance water edge planting schemes.
Companion Plants
- Ligularia dentata 'Othello' (Leopard Plant) - Broad dark foliage and yellow flowers contrast with the rich purple hues of Japanese iris.
- Astilbe chinensis (Chinese Astilbe) - Feathery blooms in white or pink pair well with the upright form and texture of iris.
- Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard) - Large plumes of creamy flowers offer a soft balance to iris blooms and thrive in similarly moist soil.
- Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Flag Iris) - Bright yellow blooms create contrast and extend the flowering interest around pond margins.
- Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (Hosta) - Large chartreuse foliage adds bold texture and tolerates the damp soils Japanese iris prefers.