Versatas are the product of the hybridizing by Tony Huber of our native Iris Versicolor and Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata). They tend to be magnificiently tall (over 40 inches), vigorous growing irises which flower here in Maryland at the end of the peak Siberian Iris bloom season, about the second or third week in June. They generally complete bloom at about the time that the Japanese Iris bloom is at its peak.

The flowers are large and tend to be reminiscent of their versicolor heritage and have stately vigorous foliage with a leaf mid-stripe from their Japanese parentage. They lend themselves well to the back of the perennial border and can be planted in both dry & boggy areas. Plants added to our garden in mid-June of 2000 more than doubled in size in one year and the bloom was spectacular. They have held up well to a long summer drought without supplemental watering.