Yellow Flag Iris ‘Flore Pleno’ (Iris pseudacorus) - Double-Flowered Marginal for Wildlife Ponds (Aquatic Basket 9cm,1L/3L)

A striking double-flowered form of the UK-native Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus), ‘Flore Pleno’ carries ruffled, multi-petalled lemon blooms above upright, sword-like foliage in early summer. Clump-forming rhizomes knit pond edges and damp ground, offering excellent cover at the water’s edge and adding beautiful vertical structure. Expect 80-100 cm in height and 30-60 cm spread once established. Ideal at the pond margin/bog zone with 0-20 cm of water over the soil (or reliably damp ground).

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade.

• Water/Zone: Pond margin/bog; set basket so there is 0-20 cm water above the soil surface.

• Wildlife role: Dense clumps give refuge for amphibians and emergent support for dragonflies; beds of yellow flag are valuable habitat along wet edges.

Planting & care

• Plant in an aquatic basket with aquatic compost; set at the margin and adjust depth as the plant establishes.

• Divide every 3 to 5 years to refresh flowering and manage spread; trim spent stems.

• For natural ponds, allow a modest clump, then lift/split to keep access routes open for wildlife.

Safety (important & honest):
Iris rhizomes/leaves are harmful if eaten; wear gloves if you have sensitive skin and keep clippings away from pets/livestock. Never release garden plants or pond water into natural waterways.

Truth-first wildlife note:
As a double-flowered cultivar, ‘Flore Pleno’ is mainly about structure/shelter and show; double forms can offer less accessible nectar/pollen than single-flowered types. Pair with single-flowered natives (e.g., Caltha palustris, wild Iris pseudacorus, etc.) for stronger pollinator support through the season.

Joel says…
“For pond edges that need a bold, native-look iris but with extra wow, ‘Flore Pleno’ delivers. Give it sun, shallow water at the edge, and a split every few years - job done, habitat improved.”

If you are using Joel’s methods, as referenced in the ‘Wild Your Garden’ book and on Joel's YouTube channel, appropriate marginal plants can be planted in the sub-soil areas around the edge of the pond. In these cases, you will not need to “re-pot” your 9cm pots, as they will go straight into the sub-soil.

However, if you are not using sub-soil and are going for a more formal look, the 9cm pots should be re-planted into an appropriate 1l size container or otherwise before being placed in or around your pond.  Container grown marginals should be placed in trays of water so that their roots may absorb the moisture. All sizes and planting depths are a guide only and considerable variation in the depth of water over the soil will be tolerated by most aquatics.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.