Product Description
IRIS ensata 'Pinkerton' (25) BR Plants
Common Name: Japanese Iris
A beautiful Japanese Iris with soft pink flowers. Pink crests arch above six bands of showy falls with dark veining and rippled edges. Bloom size on 'Pinkerton' is consistent with other Japanese Iris at 7" wide, nearly twice the size of some Siberian Iris. These plants are later to bloom, sometimes not flowering until a month after Siberian Iris have started.
Unlike the Tall Bearded Iris, the beardless Japanese Iris has a flat bloom, narrower leaves, and smaller, more compact rhizomes. They have the largest flowers of all irises and make wonderful spring accents for the edge of water gardens. Japanese irises are the latest to bloom, about a month after the Siberian irises.
Above all else, no other factor is a greater influence on Japanese Irises than water. A lack of moisture will stunt the plants and flowers, while a consistent supply of water will result in large, healthy plants with large flowers. They are lovely planted beside ponds or near streams where the water table is high, but not covering the roots. Mulch the plants heavily to ensure that the soil never dries out.
Japanese Irises should be planted in heavy, acidic, rich soil that has been amended with compost or manure. For new plantings, do not add granular fertilizer around your newly planted irises. Instead, add the fertilizer to the soil a month or two before planting the Japanese Irises. Once established, fertilize them in early spring and again right after they are finished blooming.
Most Japanese Irises require division every 3-4 years. When dividing mature clumps in spring or fall, it is best to dig up the entire clump and replant the divisions somewhere else in the garden where Japanese Irises have not been grown before. The rhizomes should be planted 2-3 inches deep. New roots form above the old roots each year, so by the time you can see the roots growing at the soil surface, it's time to divide them again.
American Iris Society Award of Merit -- 2006
American Iris Society Honorable Mention -- 2002
Height: 36.0 Inches
Spread: 24.0-28.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8, 9
Flower Color: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun to Part Shade
Consistent Water Needs
Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium - Rapid
Border Plant Cut Flower, Mass Planting, Specimen, Focal Point
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
