Dinner Plate™ Ice Cream Iris
Iris ensata 'Ice Cream'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Dinner Plate™ Ice Cream Iris - Bare Root Iris is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Dinner Plate™ Ice Cream Iris highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Pollinator Friendly
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer
Growing Zones 4-9
Dinner Plate™ Ice Cream Iris (Iris ensata 'Ice Cream') will amaze you and anyone that happens to see it! Featuring the most divine blue-lavender flowers that look more like a creamy blueberry sorbet with ruffled, wide petals and golden highlights!
Dinner Plate™ has massive 6-inch blooms that are broad-petaled and wide-open landing pads for pollinators to alight upon! You’ll be amazed by the size of these confectionery blooms! The spear-like green foliage remains handsome all growing season, lending an upright texture and waving motion to your garden!
Japanese Iris are early summer blooming rhizomatic perennials that thrive in very moist to wet soil! Often found around water features and ponds for erosion control, any area that has consistent moisture and isn’t stagnant will suit these plants fine!
Planting and Application:
Providing tall edging and low hedges around any moist landscape, Iris do fantastic winding throughout perennial and cottage gardens! Add vertical fringe to pollinator and cutting gardens, naturalize throughout moist meadows and wildflower gardens, or in planters and containers in the sun. Create a Rain Garden or make a path of decorative rocks and plants directing water from a gutter away from your home, lined with water-loving plants like Iris!
Ice Cream Iris is gorgeous in cut flower arrangements, snip the stems when the blooms are barely open for a long-lasting and radiant focal point in pots and planters, allowing even patio, balcony and porch gardens to allow these sun and moisture-loving perennials to be included in their design.
- Wide Open White Petals
- Purple Streaks & Golden-Yellow Accents
- Vertical Textured Green Blades
- Pollinators, Cutting Gardens & Containers
- Loves Wet-Moist Soil
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Japanese Iris rhizomes do best in full sun in cooler zones but appreciate some afternoon shade in hotter climates. They prefer being planted in very well-drained moist to wet soils that won’t become stagnant.
- Full Sun
- Best in Moist/Wet Well-Drained Soil
- Prune After Frost
- Deer, Pest & Disease Resistant
- Cold & Heat Tolerant Zones 4 - 9
Dinner Plate™ Ice Cream Iris will be your new favorite garden sorbet treat! So order yours today from Nature Hills! Bareroot Iris prefers to be planted in the fall, so order your bareroot rhizomes from NatureHills.com and we’ll ship them at the appropriate time of the year for your climate!
