Iris japonica

Iris japonica is common in many parts of China and Japan and was introduced to Europe in 1792 from China by Thomas Evans of the East India Company. It was named in 1794 by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828), a Swedish physician and botanist, who was a protégé of Linnaeus. Thunberg was employed by the Dutch East India Company and visited Japan from 1775-1778 (at a time when Japan was closed to most Europeans) and collected an impressive array of plants.
The great botanical artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté included a painting of this iris (known at that time as Iris fimbriata) in his Choix des plus belles Fleurs (1827-1833) (translation: 'Selection of the most beautiful flowers'), a fitting tribute to such a beautiful plant.

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Iris Japonica

Iris japonica

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