Japanese irisTraditional garden plants

The great number of Japanese iris varieties which can be found now were created from just a single variety of iris ? the Iris ensata, a plant native to Japan. Today, there are over 2,000 varieties of Japanese iris.

Fully fledged selective breading of Japanese irises began in the late Edo period around the 1800s. Matsudaira Sadatomo alone created over 300 varieties and compiled his knowledge of Japanese iris cultivation into a book, the Kashobaiyoroku. Japanese irises were extremely popular around this time, with Japanese iris gardens being created using manmade water channels and becoming some of the premier leisure destinations in Edo.

Over 100 varieties of Japanese iris, including varieties created in the Edo period, may be viewed at Mizumoto Park from May until the end of June. A pamphlet on Japanese irises is distributed at service center windows during the period when Japanese irises may be viewed. (Flowering periods will vary by year. For details, please contact Mizumoto Park.)