It requires regular moisture, especially up to bloom time, May to June, and will do very well beside a stream or a pond. Perhaps no other irises are influenced to as great a degree by culture as are the Japanese. Good culture will increase height, branching, flower size and quantity of bloom. They will grow and bloom better if planted in full sun in a heavy, rich soil with ample organic matter, especially manure or peat. The soil pH should be acid, ideally between 5.0 to 6.5. There is evidence that Japanese iris will tolerate a wider pH range, but growth and bloom will not be as good. Japanese iris are heavy feeders. A liberal application of a balanced fertilizer in spring and just before blooming is beneficial. Cold hardy to 10-15° F.

Iris ensata is grows in the wet land throughout the Japanese archipelago. The genus Iris gets its name from the Greek goddess Iris, who was goddess of the rainbow. In Greek mythology, Hera, who was Queen of Olympia, was impressed by Iris' purity and honored her with a flower that bloomed with all of the colors in her robe. The specific epithet is from the Latin word 'ensatus' meaning "sword" in reference to the shape of the leaves. We grew this plant from 2004 until 2008 as part of our Aquatic Plants Program. 

The information displayed on this page about Iris ensata 'Chiyo no Haru' (Aquatic) is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.