Iris ensata, commonly named Japanese Iris, is a perennial growing to 2 feet to 4 feet tall. It is native to Japan, northern China to eastern Russia. Iris ensata grows in marshes, ditches, and other wet places, even in shallow water. The flowers are consisting of 3 sepals and 3 petals. The species has reddish-purple flowers; flowering in June and July. The huge flat flowers of this beautiful Iris are among the biggest of all. The falls flap open 6 to 8 inches wide