Iris flowers are beloved for their stunning colors and unique floral architecture These elegant perennials have been cultivated for centuries, and it’s no wonder why. Their satiny blooms and sword-shaped leaves bring graceful style to any garden The classic pairing of white and purple iris varieties creates an especially eye-catching display. With so many types to choose from, there’s room for every garden to showcase these popular blossoms.
Iris Basics
Irises come in a diverse array of colors, forms and sizes. Most familiar are the tall bearded iris varieties standing 24-36 inches tall when in bloom. Their flowers feature three standards (upright inner petals) and three falls (hanging outer petals). The beards are the fuzzy protrusions on the falls.
Another group is the crested or beardless iris. This includes Siberian and Japanese irises, which have more delicate blooms in crested, comb-like beards. Irises are grouped as early, mid, or late spring bloomers based on their flowering time. Some rebloom again in summer or fall.
With rhizomatous root systems, irises are technically perennials. But their blooms only last days. The strappy leaves remain to provide structure. Irises spread naturally by rhizome division underground.
The Draw of Purple Iris
No color captures the essence of iris better than purple. Ranging from pale lavender to rich violet, purple iris varieties offer dramatic options. Popular types include:
- Butter and Sugar – pale purple standards, white falls
- Caesar’s Brother – deep royal purple
- Batik – reddish-purple plicata
- Paul Black – dark violet purple
- Montmartre – velvety purple-violet
The richness of purple iris makes an impact planted en masse. They also stand out nicely against pastels. Dark varieties look sharp contrasted with silver or white foliaged plants.
Elegant White Iris Choices
On the opposite end of the spectrum, white iris varieties radiate light and brightness. Pure clean whites to ivory blooms impart a cooling effect. Some top choices include:
- Immortality – pure glistening white
- Angel’s Blush – white with pale pink blush
- White City – crisp, bright white
- Queen’s Circle – white with yellow beards
- Going My Way – white with purple picotee edges
White iris helps brighten shady spaces where darker colors disappear. Use them as accents to add contrast amongst other flowers. They make ideal companions for pastels and jewel tones.
Combine Both for Drama
Together, white and purple iris offset one another beautifully. White lightens up the darker purple hues, making them glow. And the richness of purple iris brings out the clean purity of white varieties. Here are some tips for combining them:
- Plant groupings of purple iris dotted with white for contrast
- Underplant white iris drifts with purple for accents of color
- Alternate white and purple iris in mixed beds
- Edge a purple iris patch with white iris in a border
- Pair purple standards with white or yellow falls on the same stalk
Using both shades together guarantees your iris display will catch the eye.
Extending the Bloom Season
One smart strategy is to use early, mid, and late bloom times to your advantage. Combine different purple and white varieties to extend the floral show. For example:
Early Bloom:
- Purple – Caesar’s Brother
- White – Immortality
Mid Bloom:
- Purple – Montmartre
- White – Angel’s Blush
Late Bloom:
- Purple – Paul Black
- White – White City
This succession of flowering from early spring through late spring will give weeks of enjoyment. It’s a great way to maximize the impact of your white and purple iris collection.
How to Grow White and Purple Iris
Fortunately, iris are among the easier perennials to cultivate. Here are some key tips for success:
Site
- Full sun is ideal, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Well-drained soil is critical to avoid rhizome rot. Amend heavy clay if needed.
- Space rhizomes 12-24 inches apart depending on variety size.
- Avoid planting near trees and shrubs that will compete for nutrients and moisture.
Planting
- Plant rhizomes in mid to late summer, allowing time to establish roots before winter dormancy.
- Set the rhizome tops slightly exposed, with roots spread down in shallow trenches.
- Water thoroughly after planting and as needed through fall.
Care
- Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost lightly in early spring.
- Water deeply and consistently during summer dry periods.
- Remove spent blooms promptly to encourage reblooming.
- Cut back foliage after frost once it turns brown.
- Divide dense clumps every 3-5 years in midsummer to rejuvenate.
Pests/Diseases
- Monitor for iris borers and thrips, removing or treating promptly.
- Improve air circulation and avoid wet foliage to prevent fungal issues.
- Discard any rhizomes with soft rot and sterilize tools after cutting.
With minimal care, iris are sure to brighten your landscape for years to come. The timeless pairing of white and purple iris provides an easy way to enjoy their graceful elegance. Showcase these colors together for a floral display that’s sure to impress.
When to Plant Irises
- Plant most irises in late summer to early fall, when nighttime temperatures remain between 40° and 50°F (4° and 10°C) or above. This gives them plenty of time to get established before the coming winter.
- Tall bearded iris varieties are best planted closer to fall because they tend to go dormant in early to mid-summer.
- If you receive bare rhizomes or irises in a container at some point earlier in the year, plant them as soon as possible. It’s better to get them in the ground rather than wait until the “ideal” time.
Planting, Growing, and Caring for Irises
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The tall, beautiful iris flower, named after the Greek goddess who rode rainbows, comes in many magical colors. Despite its divine origins, this beautiful flower is rugged, reliable, and easy to grow. Learn to plant and care for irises for long-term success in your gardens.
More than 250 species make up the genus Iris. The most familiar irises are the tall bearded irises (I. germanica), which reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Their distinctive six-petaled flowers have three outer hanging petals (called falls) and three inner upright petals (called standards).
Irises may be a bearded or crested (aka beardless) type. Bearded irises are so-called because they have soft hairs along the center of their falls. The hairs on crested types, like the Siberian iris, form a comb or ridge instead.
Most irises flower from late spring to early summer. Some—mostly bearded hybrids—are remontant, meaning they may flower again later in the summer. The blooming period of Siberian irises tends to follow that of the bearded types.
Irises attract butterflies and hummingbirds and make lovely cut flowers. For iris companions in the garden, look to roses, peonies, and lilies. Read Next
Irises bloom best in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it’s not ideal. Without enough light, they won’t bloom well. Bearded irises must not be shaded out by other plants; many do best in a special bed.
Provide well-draining, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil. Loosen the soil to 12 to 15 inches deep, then mix in compost or aged manure. Good drainage is critical: Irises prefer “wet feet, but dry knees.” They will not tolerate wet soil in winter. Learn more about preparing the soil for planting and organic soil amendments.
Iris Complete Guide: Where to Buy, How to Plant, Fertilizing, & After Care. Schreiner’s Iris Order!
FAQ
Do purple irises like sun or shade?
Purple Bearded Iris is best grown in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Best flowering and disease resistance occur in full sun. Plants will tolerate light shade. Good soil drainage is essential to combat potential soft rot problems.
What is a rare iris color flower?
Demi-Deuil Iris – A truly beautiful rare iris plant, this Victorian flower consists of white petals with intense dark purple veining throughout both the falls and the standard. Flower signal regions glow a beautiful yellow-bronze color, which only emphasize its dramatic appearance.
Are bearded irises a perennial or annual?
Bearded Irises are some of the most popular perennials in gardens throughout the world, and we’re not surprised! The endless array of colors and sizes makes them a versatile and show-stopping element of any garden. They are loved by many because they are easy to grow, deer-resistant, they multiply each year.
What does the purple iris flower mean spiritually?
Purple irises, in particular, are associated with wisdom. The color purple has long been linked to royalty and wisdom, and when combined with the iris’s symbolic associations, it creates a powerful emblem of knowledge and insight.
Are irises ornamental?
While not all types of iris are suited for use in the ornamental landscape, many specialized heirlooms and hybrids are ideal additions to cut flower gardens and in decorative flower beds. Though most irises are known for their distinctive true blue color, white iris varieties have gained popularity.
What are the different types of white irises?
Gull’s Wing is also one of the more showy white iris varieties, as each petal is large and wide. Additionally, white Siberian irises seldom have issues with disease or damage caused by insects. “Immortality” Bearded – White bearded irises are quite common in ornamental gardens. The cultivar Immortality produces large, pure white flowers.
How tall do purple irises get?
Generally sorted into bearded and beardless categories, irises can range in height from 6 inches to 4 feet and have great variations in sun preferences, scent profiles, and maintenance needs. To help you in your quest to add some purple iris joy to your garden, we’ve gathered facts, photos, and growing profiles on 15 of our favorites.
Do White Iris grow well in a shady garden?
Lush, green foliage thrives in shady garden spaces and will quickly multiply and naturalize where conditions are ideal. Their small size make ‘Alba’ white iris ideal for use in short flower borders or even as a ground cover plant. These bulbs, which are planted in the fall, will produce bright white flowers with narrow petals.
What are the two main categories of iris flowers?
There are only two types of irises: bulb irises and rhizome irises. Every iris you see belongs to one of these two categories. This article fully explains these categories and provides an overview of the most popular subtypes of irises within both categories.
Why are irises called Iris?
The word “iris” comes from the Greek word for “rainbow”—an apt term for a genus of flowers that offers a wide range of color combinations, flower sizes, and shapes. Gardeners value irises for their reliable spring performance and hardy vigor in the landscape. even in hot and dry conditions.