Harlequin Blue Flag Iris

Spent some satisfying time identifying this iris.  It helps to already know most of the name, 1) it's an iris. 2) woodswalker from Saratoga Woods and Waterways mentioned that Blue Flag is native to this area.  3) There are 5 kinds of blue flag irises in the country, so it was simple elimination.

I'm so glad I didn't accidentally kill these this year.  These are native to northeastern wetlands, and just about the only way to kill it is to run over it with a lawnmower, which is what I did last year.  I saw a yellow bearded iris by the house, but didn't have the camera with me at the time.

I was blogsurfing last night and came across a blog that mentioned and showed Dame's Rocket.  Now I know what's so beautiful in front of the house and at the edges of most pastures I drive by.  It's a weed, and an invasive one.  I should see if the goats like it!