With big, blousy blooms that can be seen from across your yard, they're unlike any other. Take a peek at these Michigan-grown beauties. It could be love at first sight!

By Deb Wiley, Photographs by Richard Hirneisen

Iris Ensata

When you come face-to-petal for the first time with the lovely flowers of Japanese irises, John Coble can predict how you'll feel: Smitten.

"When people see Japanese irises, they wonder where they've been all their life," says John, the co-owner with Bob Bauer of Ensata Gardens near Galesburg, Michigan. Located midway between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Ensata Gardens is the largest grower-in cultivars and numbers sold-of Japanese irises (Iris ensata) in the U.S.

With narrow, sword-shaped leaves rising 3 to 4 feet tall or more, Japanese irises bloom in late June or early July. Pointed flower buds unfurl to reveal delicate falls (petals) in hues of purple, white, blue, pink and red-violet. The falls flap open 6 to 8 inches wide, floating like opaque clouds atop the slender, green stems.

The blooms, wider and bigger than other irises, add dramatic impact to a garden.

"Most gardeners don't know about Japanese irises," John says. "But those who see them for the first time are amazed."

John and Bob's love affair with the beautiful bloomers began in 1985, when the Society for Japanese Irises met in Kalamazoo. "At the time, there weren't many places you could buy Japanese irises," says Bob, who also designs and creates stained glass, many items with an iris motif.

The pair already grew other kinds of irises, but they fell head over heels when they saw these and started growing them after a friend gave them seeds. "We discovered that these are beautiful to look at," John says. "And they grow well here."

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