Iris Yellow Flag
susan, H7799
Iris pseudacorus
Iridaceae, Iris Family
I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, he shall strike root as the poplar
Hosea 14:5 RSV
Iris are not included in God's Word for Gardeners Bible. However, enjoy a Weather devotion on "Dew" from Hosea 14:5 from the Garden Stories section on page 1005
Let my teaching drop down like rain, and let my sayings distill like dew, like raindrops on grass, like showers on green plants.
Deuteronomy 32:2 EHV
Cultural Information
| Type | Flowers & Bulbs |
| Height | 4 to 5 feet |
| Soil | wet soil of various types |
| Exposure | full sun to part shade |
| Leaves | slender, sword-like, flat, warm green, standing tall from rhizome roots |
| Flowers | brilliant yellow, with 3 large, oval-formed petals or "falls" opening from center, adorned with fine-lined, dark veins; 3 secondary "standards" petals with ruffled end-edges, overflowing from flower center |
Planting Tips
- check with your state extension service to find out whether planting yellow flag is restricted in your area
- locate iris with plenty of sunshine and room to spread, or else confine plantings to pots or beds bordered by hard surfaces
- if planting along edge of pond or stream, consider whether plants may migrate downstream
- once safely situated, plant yellow flag by rhizomes or seed
- marshy or consistently moist soil, as well as standing water, are great areas for this iris species
- dig a small depression in the soil and lay rhizomes inside, press into soil and cover slightly
- best to plant rhizomes late summer to fall to establish before spring blooming season
- foliage will appear by late fall, and remain evergreen between intermittent freezes
- cut back any straggly or drying leaves to maintain an attractive appearance
- this perennial should last for years in your garden!
Garden to Table
- iris yellow flag blooms late spring to summer, depending on your climate
- flowers last for several days and have 2 to 3 flowers on a stem
- bring inside to fill tall vases for colorful drama
- remember the tall, slender leaves make great vertical elements in flower arrangements, too!
- Yellow flag is credited with being the inspiration for the stylized fleur-de-lis design
More Research
See Blog Posts on Iris Yellow FlagNot many of us witness the dew point in the early hours of the morning; even though we wake early, the water molecules have already made their way from vapor to liquid. Likewise, we tend not to be mindful of the moment God is present, yet we feel our anxiety soothed and our thoughts turned to the beauty around us.
-from the NIV God's Word for Gardeners Bible
Let my teaching drop down like rain, and let my sayings distill like dew, like raindrops on grass, like showers on green plants.
Deuteronomy 32:2 EHV
Photo Credits
©2026 Shelley S. Cramm taken at San Antonio Botanical Garden: Iris yellow flag steal the show at John L. Santikos Fountain of the Ferns
© 2026 Shelley S. Cramm Iris Yellow Flag close-up view
© 2026 Shelley S. Cramm Iris Yellow Flag with fountain splashing
