Iris laevigata, also named, the Japanese Water Iris and Kakitsubata, is native to Japan, Korea and China, and is growing in swampy places. It is a water-loving evergreen Iris is growing to 30 inches high. The flowers are consisting of 3 sepals and 3 petals. Flowers are a rich blue, always erect; falls with a white midstripe. Unbranched stems bear 2 to 4 flowers. Best planted well before Spring to ensure it flowers, Laevigata likes to have a well formed set of roots developed before showing of the spectacular, but brief flowers for a week or two late in the Spring. The leaves are broad and green. The plant spreads by means of its modified stems, rhizomes, which are located below the soil surface. Hardiness zones 4-9, (-32øC/-25øF, -5øC/25øF) in Winter. This is a true aquatic Iris, requiring a wet site the entire year. Iris laevigata is used frequently in ponds, because it is one of the few Irises which will grow reliably in shallow water. It can also be grown in damp soil. Grow in moist to wet, deep, humus rich, acid soil. This Iris requires sun to partial shade, growing and flowering best in full.