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.

« Add a new plant to the database

» Search the Irises Database: by characteristics or by cultivar name

« See the general plant entry for Irises (Iris)

« Visit the Irises forum

« The Irises Database Front Page

« The Plants Database Front Page

Today's site banner is by Murky and is called "Ballerina Rose Hybrid"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.