Iris ensata 'Imperial Purple'
"Japanese water iris"
Orders placed until 29 February 2026
You can expect your order in February/March 2026
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2026
You can expect your order in March/April 2026
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2026
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
Reviews.io 4.7 (34,275 reviews)
Trustpilot 4.5 (9,730 reviews)
Google 4.7 (9,835 reviews)
Shop app 4.6 (9,450 reviews)
In cooperation with Shopify Planet and the Shopify Sustainability Fund, we are proud to be the first plant and flower bulb supplier able to:
— Ship carbon neutral;
— Remove atmospheric carbon;
— Store carbon for 1000+ years;
— Invest in reforestation;
— Invest in soil carbon storage.
How? Every time we ship an order, Shopify Planet automatically calculates our shipping emissions, and ensures high-quality carbon removal to neutralise our shipping footprint. Learn more
Description
Iris ensata 'Imperial Purple' is a regal addition to any waterside planting, instantly drawing the eye with its sumptuous purple petals and sharply defined yellow signals. Each bloom of Iris 'Imperial Purple' is crowned with deep purple style arms that lend a sense of structure and sophistication to its elegant, ruffled form. As the flowers open in late spring, Iris ensata 'Imperial Purple' offers a dramatic splash of colour that contrasts beautifully with surrounding greenery, making it perfect for pond margins, boggy borders, or serene Japanese-style gardens. Its upright growth ensures that each blossom stands proudly above the foliage, creating a refined and almost theatrical display.
Beyond its stunning palette, Iris 'Imperial Purple' thrives in moist, well-draining soil and a sunny spot, making it a reliable choice for damp corners of UK gardens. Each flowering stalk of Iris 'Imperial Purple' not only provides visual drama but also attracts pollinators, adding life and movement to your waterside spaces. Hardy yet graceful, Iris ensata 'Imperial Purple' offers season-long intrigue with its intense purple hues and striking yellow signals. Whether used in a cluster for maximum impact or paired with softer foliage and other Japanese water irises, 'Imperial Purple' delivers a combination of elegance, vibrancy, and architectural poise that enhances any late spring or early summer garden.
Key features
-
Good for cutting
-
Perfect for pots
-
Comes back every year
-
Loved by pollinators
-
Naturalising
-
Thrives well in full sun
-
In peat-free compost
-
Low maintenance
-
Fully hardy
-
Rodent resistant
Specs & details
-
Botanical name
Iris ensata 'Imperial Purple'
-
Flower colour
Purple
-
Plant size
1
-
Established height
50-70cm
-
Established spread
50-70cm
-
Plant spacing
10 plants per m2
-
Leaf colour
Green
-
Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
Naturalising -
Hardiness
Fully hardy
-
Years to establish
1-2 years
-
Sunlight
Full sun
Partial shade -
Position
Sheltered
Exposed -
Suitable for
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Meadows
Water gardens
Coastal gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
-
Soil moisture
Damp
Boggy -
Soil type
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Loam-based compost
Multipurpose compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
-
Scented
No
-
Pollinator-friendly
No
-
Mouse resistant
Yes
-
Rabbit resistant
Yes
-
Deer resistant
No
-
Toxicity
Skin/eyes irritant
Harmful if eaten
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
-
Soak the Iris ensata 'Imperial Purple' roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your "Japanese water iris" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost within a week of delivery and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
-
Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
Perfect companions
World class bulbs
We cooperate with the best growers to supply world class bulbs and plants.
We ♥ our planet
We reduce waste by using recyclable packaging whenever we are able.
We've got your back
Excellent customer care: Our service is rated 4.8 out of 5 by our customers.
Spoilt for choice
Biggest ever selection of
flower bulbs and plants online. Lots of exclusive varieties.
Size matters
You can expect top size flower bulbs and bare-root plants. Always.
@farmergracy
Tag @farmergracy to share your garden, plants and experience!
