Growing on the edge of my pond is a native iris, the Northern Blue Flag, Although the insects and hummingbirds like the blue flag, it’s rhizomes are poisonous to livestock.
Northern Blue Flag
Picture of the Day for June 14, 2023
Today is Flag Day, which honors this date in 1777 when the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. I have a different flag on the edge of my pond – the Northern Blue Flag, a native iris found is marshes and other wetlands.
A Flag for Flag Day
Picture of the Day for June 13, 2022
A native iris, the blue flag, is often found on the edges of water or marshes and is one flower my deer do not seem to eat so at least the bees have a few flowers to enjoy now that they are blooming this season.
Native Iris
Picture of the Day for April 4, 2022
I’m not sure that April snow showers bring May flowers especially if the snow doesn’t stop. But there was a little hint of spring when I was down by the pond this evening. There was some green shoots of the blue flag flower but it will be a couple more months before there are some blossoms to see.
Northern Blue Flag
Picture of the Day for June 4, 2021
The Northern Blue Flag likes wet areas and it received an extra coating of water when a brief shower yesterday left some rain drops on the blossom and leaves.
Wet Blue Flag
Picture of the Day for December 3, 2020
There might not be any snow on the ground, but my pond has been frozen over for a while so there are no blue flags blooming near the water edge, at least not until next June.
Summertime Blue Flag
Picture of the Day for June 23, 2020
Only a few blossoms remain of the Blue Flag growing on the edge of my pond. It is a native iris that grows in wetlands having violet-blue flowers and is one plant that my deer don’t seem to eat.
Blue Flag by the Pond
Picture of the Day for June 14, 2019
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. Today were was another type of ‘flag’ waving in the wind. A native iris, the Northern Blue Flag is often found at the margins of water. The blossom has large lobes that bees use as landing platforms to attract insects to the nectar glands. This wild iris is also a deer-resistant perennial.
Blue Flag on Flag Day
Picture of the Day for June 18, 2018
The pond level is higher after all the rain but the poor flowers, like these Blue Flag, look like they been through a wringer and many are laying on the ground from the strong winds and pouring rain.
Blue Flags Before the Rain
Picture of the Day for June 13, 2017
This native iris, commonly called northern blue flag, survived the flower eating deer long enough to bloom, maybe since they typically grow in the water or near the water edge.
Blooming Blue Flag
