Data specific to Irises (Edit)
Hybridizer: James Wallace
Year Of Registration: not registered (see comment)
Year Of Introduction (May Differ From Registry): Around 1910
Classification: Japanese (Ensata)

General Plant Information (Edit)
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Moderately acid (5.6 – 6.0)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Flowers: Showy
Underground structures: Rhizome
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Will not come true from seed
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Pollinators: Various insects
Ploidy: Diploid

Image
Common names
  • Japanese Iris
  • Iris
Also sold as:
  • 'Royal Robes'

Photo Gallery
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 5 Jul 2021
Iris ensata 'Royal Robes'
Location: Milton, NY
Date: 2022-06-29
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 8 July 2021
Iris ensata Royal Robes
Location: Riverview, Robson, B.C. 
Date: 2006-05-31
 7:35 pm. This one has always grabbed people's attention.
Location: Riverview, Robson, B.C. 
Date: 2006-06-02
 6:34 pm. A beautiful plum colour with striking yellow signals.
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2022-07-04
Japanese Iris (Iris ensata 'Royal Robe') 1st bloom of the season

Date: 2012-06-19

Date: 2012-06-18
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 2022-07-03
Japanese Iris (Iris ensata 'Royal Robe') entire plant with buds
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: 6 July 2021
Iris ensata 'Royal Robes'
Location: West Central Tx 
Date: 2022-05-29
This is the only variety of 12 that survived the polar vortex tha

Date: 2012-06-18
Location: Eagle Bay, New York
Date: I January 2022
seeds germinating after 15 weeks in fridge, then warming to room

Photo courtesy of Singing Tree Gardens Nursery
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: West Central Tx 
Date: 2022-05-29

Photo Courtesy of Daylilies by the Pond. Used with Permission.
  • Uploaded by Joy
This plant is tagged in:
Image

Comments:
  • Posted by eclayne (Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA - Zone 6a) on Oct 8, 2012 9:17 AM concerning plant:
    This 3 fall Japanese Iris was introduced around 1910 by James Wallace, prior to the formation of the American Iris Society. As a result it is considered to be unregistered, see Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Royal Robe') registered in 1928.

    Wildly different versions are sold today, from 6 fall to 3 fall, with purple standards heavily marked with white to solid purple.

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