- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2 - 3 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 4 - 8
The Lion King Iris, also known as Iris ensata, is native to Japan and features eye-catching double blooms for a bold statement. The large flowers have white petals with dappled purple along the edges. A yellow eye adds a subtle burst of color. The beautiful flowers bloom from mid-June into early July. The blooms are framed by upright, narrow, dark green foliage.
Use this plant in beds or borders to add color and height. The blooms can reach 36 inches high, so feature this Iris in an area where the flowers will be visible when used as part of a mixed bed. The Lion King Iris thrives in damp conditions, making this an excellent plant to feature in naturally wet areas too damp for most plants. Feature in moist areas like near ponds or streams. This plant grows as a perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Lion King Iris Care
Plant the Lion King Iris in full sun to part shade. This Iris can handle most soil types, but it does best with soil that retains moisture. The soil should also be acidic and have high organic content. The Iris ensata has high water needs but will not need much attention if grown in naturally damp areas.
This plant is a heavy feeder, and an application of balanced fertilizer in the spring before the buds appear will support abundant blooms. Remove dead growth and spent blooms. Propagate the plant through division either in midsummer or early fall after the flowers have died back. While this plant loves damp conditions during the growing season, too much moisture during the winter can be problematic, so select an area with appropriate conditions or move the rhizomes to a dry location for the winter.
Lion King Iris Spacing
The Lion King Iris will reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread out 18 to 24 inches. Space plants 20 inches apart when part of a mass planting. Since this plant has high water needs, it can be hard to grow in containers, but a 16- to 18-inch container will provide enough space for this Iris to flourish.
Lion King Iris Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
Mature Spread: 18 - 24 Inches |
Spacing: 18 - 24 Inches |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Purple, White, Yellow |
Flower Description: Fully Doubled White Petals With Purple Edges And Splashes Of Yellow In The Center |
Bloom Period: Early July |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Deep Green |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Heat |
Attracts: Bees, Hummingbirds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wetland Areas & Ponds, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers |
Brand: |
Common Name: Lion King Iris |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: IRIS ENSATA `LION KING` |
- SKU:
- 1231004471-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.