Companion Planting with Bearded Irises is easier than you think. But, first you need to understand the basics. Bearded Irises do best in a south facing bed, so choose the hottest place in your garden, and you wont go far wrong. Plant them in soil that is free draining and PH neutral.
This allows the sun to bakes the rhizomes that produce the flower cells for the following year. After finding your sunny spot, good drainage is the next thing on your list. This is needed to prevent the root system becoming waterlogged, and vital to stop rhizome rot, the commonest reason for plant failure.
Our Bearded Irises work really well as Companion Plants. They are all bred and grown in the UK. They are well-suited to UK weather conditions, remarkably tough, long-lived and bulk up well. If you get the basics right, they will last for years and years.
You need to decide whether to plant Bearded Irises as part of a dedicated iris border, or include them with Companion Plants in a more general planting plan. This is the dilemma facing gardeners and garden designers alike.
If you have plenty of space, go for a dedicated iris bed. If space is more limited, irises can be planted successfully with other herbaceous Companion Plants.
Iris are a beloved and elegant addition to any garden. With sword-shaped leaves and showy blooms in vibrant colors, iris bring grace and beauty when they flower in late spring and early summer. However, once the blooms fade, the foliage of iris plants can look unkempt. The good news is that by using smart companion planting, you can ensure your iris continue to be the stars of your garden even after they finish flowering.
In this article, we will explore the top 12 companion plants to grow alongside iris. We’ll look at pairing spring bloomers to complement iris flowers, as well as plants that fill the gaps later in the season when iris have died back You’ll learn how interplanting lavender, lupines, peonies and more with iris can be mutually beneficial while creating an ornamental display Read on for tips to make your iris the focal point of a quintessential cottage garden.
Why Iris Benefit From Companion Planting
Companion planting refers to the practice of planting different crops together so they can help each other grow. Companion plants assist in various ways, such as by deterring pests, improving pollination, or maximizing garden space.
When it comes to iris, the advantages of companion planting are primarily aesthetic. Iris blooms are ephemeral, so pairing them with flowers that bloom later in the season helps keep your garden looking neat and tidy once the iris finish flowering.
Companion plants also allow you to create interesting contrasts and harmonies by playing with colors, textures, and heights. This enables you to turn your iris into a real showstopper.
Top Iris Companion Plants
Here are 12 of the best companion plants to grow with iris:
1. Peonies
Peonies pair beautifully with bearded iris, creating a lush spring display when both are in bloom. Peonies get up to 3 feet tall and provide the perfect plant height contrast for shorter iris Plant peonies behind iris for layered dimension. Try white peonies with purple iris for harmonious hues.
2. Alliums
Alliums bloom at the same time as iris so they complement each other in late spring. Alliums like well-drained soil and full sun just like iris. The low, spherical foliage won’t compete for space. For a formal look, plant alliums in a line. For casual gardens, dot them randomly amongst iris.
3. Lavender
Lavender makes an ideal companion plant for iris because it helps deter aphids which spread iris diseases. Both plants thrive in poor, dry soil. Grow lavender around the edges of iris beds to protect from pests. The colors pair nicely too.
4. Lupines
Lupines complement iris wonderfully with their short-lived, colorful spring blooms that form tall flower spikes. Lupines self-seed readily, creating a natural effect. Try blue lupines with purple iris for cool tones. Go for yellows with white iris for bright pops.
5. Delphiniums
Delphiniums can reach 6 feet tall, creating a perfect background for shorter iris plants. Keep delphinium roots cool by planting iris at their base. Pink and white delphiniums complement the blue and purple hues of many iris varieties.
6. Black-Eyed Susans
Once iris have finished flowering, black-eyed susans will take over with their sunny yellow blooms right through fall. They fill gaps iris leave behind. Black-eyed susans thrive in hot, dry conditions perfect for iris. They continually self-seed for plenty of plants each year.
7. Bee Balm
Also known as monarda, bee balm blooms in early summer just as iris are fading. Bee balm attracts pollinators and comes in shades like pink, purple and red. It has a bushy shape that hides dying iris foliage. Both plants flourish in full sun and average soil.
8. Coneflowers
Coneflowers are tough, drought-tolerant perennials with late summer blooms that fill space once iris foliage dies back. Their daisy-like flowers come in pink, purple and yellow. Coneflowers and iris both enjoy poor to average soil quality and hot conditions.
9. Daffodils
Early spring bloomers like daffodils compliment iris flowers when planted together. Create a structured look by planting rows of daffodils in front of iris. Or mix the two bulbs randomly for a wildflower meadow effect. Go for yellow daffodils with blue iris for bold contrast.
10. Salvia
Salvia blooms alongside iris in early summer, extending the floral display. Its nectar-rich red or purple flowers attract hummingbirds. Plant salvias in groups for bursts of color. Salvia pairs well with blue, purple and white iris varieties. Both plants thrive in sunny, well-drained areas.
11. Baptisia
Also called false indigo, baptisia produces blue or yellow pea-like blooms complementing iris hues. Baptisia enjoys similar growing conditions to iris – full sun and average to poor soil. Plant yellow baptisia with blue iris for pleasant contrast.
12. Daylilies
Daylilies are a gardener’s favorite thanks to their vigorous growth habit, drought tolerance and cheery flowers. Daylilies have strappy leaves that fill space once iris foliage declines. Some daylily varieties rebloom, extending color after the main iris bloom period.
Iris Companion Planting Tips
Follow these handy tips when planting companions with your iris:
-
Place tall plants like delphiniums and peonies behind iris to create layered dimension.
-
Use short plants like alliums and lavender in front of iris as an edging.
-
Harmonize cool purple and blue iris flowers with pastel companions like daffodils and bee balm.
-
Contrast vibrant yellow and white iris with delphiniums and coneflowers in deep reds and purples.
-
Plant spring bloomers like tulips and lupines to coincide with iris flowers.
-
Add late bloomers like black-eyed susans and daylilies to fill space after iris fade.
-
Choose companions with slim foliage like baptisia to hide dying iris leaves.
-
Mix companion seeds directly with iris bulbs when planting for a natural effect.
Get Creative With Iris Companion Planting
When used thoughtfully, companion planting allows your iris take center stage while keeping the rest of the garden looking pristine. Build up height, color and texture by experimenting with pairings like iris with salvia, iris with peonies and iris with coneflowers. Always ensure companion plants have similar soil, sunlight and water requirements as iris. With the right companion plants, your iris will shine as the belle of the garden from spring until fall.
What Are the Best Conditions for growing Bearded Irises?
- South Facing (find the hottest place in your garden)
- Soil type – Free Draining and PH Neutral.
Why Our Bearded Irises Make Ideal Companion Plants?
- Flowering Period – They fill an awkward gap in the garden year, between the last of the Spring Bulbs and the start of an exuberant Summer Border.
- Clear Clean Colours – Create your own colour palette and use our Award Winning Bearded Irises in different planting schemes. Mix our Cool/Soft Colours with your pastel shades, or experiment with our Hot/Soft Colours for impact.
- Versatility – plant our irises in a Spring or Summer Border.
How to Plant Iris Correctly for Long Term Success
FAQ
What looks good planted with iris?
Perennials To Plant With Iris
Alternately, Iris pairs easily with hyssop, heuchera, columbine, and delphinium to create drifts of flowers that float above their foliage. Layering early and late blooming perennials in the same bed can extend the color interest through fall.
How do you landscape with iris?
Bearded irises perform best in well-drained soils in full sun. The planting site should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. In poorly drained soils, plant bearded irises in raised beds as they do not tolerate soggy or wet soils. They are excellent plants for perennial beds and borders.
What is the best ground cover for iris beds?
After removing the grass, consider planting a ground cover to keep your iris hydrated. Lamb’s Ears and Vinca are both excellent ground covers that can keep soil hydrated.