IRIS ENS LION KING

IRIS ENS LION KING
Grower Notes:

Iris ensata 'Lion King' is an award-winning cultivar of Japanese Iris, prized for its exceptionally large, dramatic, and showy double blooms that stand out as some of the biggest among all iris types, reaching up to 7–8 inches across. The regal flowers feature a showy, flat-petaled form unique to the Iris ensata group, with six widely ruffled 'falls' (petals) that are pure white in the center, transitioning to a wide, feathered border of deep grape or purple along the edges. A subtle splash of golden yellow, known as the signal, is tucked into the center of the bloom. This striking color combination rises elegantly atop sturdy, sword-like, deep green foliage, with flower stems reaching a majestic height of 3–4 feet in early to mid-summer, making 'Lion King' an excellent, deer-resistant choice for cutting gardens, perennial borders, or planting in large, vivid groupings.

'Lion King' Japanese Iris thrives with consistent moisture, making it an ideal candidate for water gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, or alongside streams and ponds. It performs best in full sun to partial shade and requires a fertile, humus-rich, and acidic soil for optimal bloom, contrasting with the slightly alkaline needs of Bearded Irises. While it loves moisture-retentive conditions and can even tolerate standing water during the summer growing season, its rhizomes are prone to rot if left submerged or in poorly drained soil during the winter dormancy period.