Iris ensata Velvety Queen - Japanese Water Iris

They thrive in damp and marshy soil, without limestone. They also tolerate moist soil, even if it's not waterlogged, as long as it doesn't dry out in summer. On the other hand, they prefer a rather dry soil in winter. At Le Clos, we have planted them near an artificial stream with a high water level during the summer. In winter, we let the water level drop by about 15cm (6in), so that the stumps are above the water, just like in nature where river levels decrease in winter and rise again in spring with the melting snow. They have excellent cold resistance, up to about -12°C (10.4°F). This resistance is further enhanced if the soil is dry.