Iris ensata 'Greywoods Catrina' is a striking Japanese iris cultivar showcasing deep lavender purple blooms with prominent white signals and golden highlights. It adds dramatic flair to water garden borders and damp landscapes.
Height & Spread: 30 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Early to midsummer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part sun
Soil Preference: Prefers rich, acidic, moisture retentive soils; tolerates shallow standing water in the growing season
Watering Needs: High; performs best in consistently moist to wet conditions
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Native Status
Not native to North America. This hybrid Japanese iris originates from Iris ensata species, which are native to Japan and parts of eastern Asia, commonly cultivated for ornamental use in temperate water gardens.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Painted Ladies are drawn to its broad flat blooms during peak flowering.
Bees
- Frequently visited by bumblebees and small native sweat bees seeking pollen in the morning hours.
Beneficial Insects
- Provides nectar and habitat for pollinating flies and parasitic wasps that assist with pest control near moist gardens.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow for upright growth and airflow between clumps in wet garden beds.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for water gardens, pond edges, rain gardens, and other consistently damp settings where bold, vertical accent blooms are desired.
Companion Plants
- Ligularia dentata 'Othello' (Othello Ligularia) - Deep foliage and bold yellow flowers contrast beautifully with iris blooms in moist settings.
- Hosta 'Blue Angel' (Blue Angel Hosta) - Broad blue green foliage offers visual mass and shade tolerance to pair well with upright iris form.
- Astilbe chinensis (Chinese Astilbe) - Feathery pink or red plumes thrive in similar conditions and soften the strong iris lines.
- Carex muskingumensis (Palm Sedge) - Adds fine texture and structural greenery along wet borders and stream edges.
- Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia) - Late summer blooms provide seasonal layering and pollinator support in moist environments.