Leading the article with a picture of a banned plant gives a mixed message. If people want to grow water iris, there are several that are a much better choice.

I. laevigata- water iris

Laevigata lives in water all the time. Colors and patterns are limited, but there are several that are quite showy

I. ensata- Japanese iris

For me I. ensata likes to dry out during the winter (I grow in pots and remove from the water in winter). Japanese iris have been cultivated and hybridized for hundreds if not over a thousand years. The number of different forms, colors and patterns is amazing. These are very elegant flowers.

Louisiana iris

Louisiana iris can grow in the water or in the garden. They are probably the easiest of the three to grow and come in a rainbow of colors. They are the native American iris, coming from the swamps of the South. Some of the older varieties could be rampant in their growth but almost all of the newer hybrids are much more contained.

I. pseudocorus should never be planted along water connected to a flowing waterway. It has big corky seeds that float.

The leading photo that I chose for the article was just really randomly selected. I appreciate your good information you've shared!

There's also the Southern Blue Flag, iris virginica, which is another American native. It does well all over the South.

I agree, the I. pseudacorus is a terrible pest. The pond here at our house had them when we moved in, and what a terrible job to remove them. The rhizomes were the size of my wrist! Luckily mine never bloomed unless I let the pond water level drop a lot, so I never had them make seed and get away on me.

My pond now has Blue Flags and Louisiana iris 'Black Gamecock' which is the most gorgeous deep purple ever, and blooms even if the water level doesn't drop.