Blue Flower De Luce (Iris × germanica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

German iris is a European hybrid grown in U.S. gardens in many colors. Each drooping outer flower part has a fuzzy beard.

Appearance

Appearance: Swordlike leaves form fans below flowers with three upright and three drooping parts. Plants are about 1–4 ft (0.3–1.2 m) tall.

Look-alikes

Sweet IrisIris pallida

Sweet iris is often pale violet-blue. Look at the small leaflike coverings just below the flowers: they are dry and papery all over on sweet iris, while German iris keeps some green there.

Why they get mixed upBoth have bearded iris flowers and can linger near old gardens.

White Flag IrisIris albicans

White flag iris usually has fragrant white flowers with a white beard tipped yellow. White German iris cultivars can look very similar, so a flower photo alone may not settle the name.

Why they get mixed upWhite bearded flowers occur in both.

Three bearded irises to compare

	Flower color	Just below the flower	Other clue
German Iris	Many garden colors	Partly green coverings	Flowers may branch
Sweet Iris	Usually pale violet-blue	Dry, papery coverings	Silvery flower bases
White Flag Iris	White	Green coverings	Compact cluster, few branches

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
old home sites
Range: A European hybrid grown in the United States, it can persist outside plantings at old home sites in Missouri.
Preferred conditions: It blooms best in full sun and soil that drains well.

Growing it

Care: Keep the near the soil surface; crowded clumps can be divided after bloom.
Propagation: Clumps spread by rhizomes, which gardeners can divide.
Toxicity: The rhizomes and sap can irritate skin, and eating the plant can cause stomach upset.

Name and classification

About the name: The garden label “bearded iris” can also cover hybrids involving other iris species.
Varieties and forms: Garden selections range from white and yellow to pink, purple, and nearly black.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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