What to Plant With Iris: Companion Plants and Tips

Russian Sage, Lamb’s Ear, Coreopsis, and Alliums

When it comes to planting companions for the exquisite iris flower, there are several options that can enhance the overall beauty of your garden. One such option is to pair iris with Russian sage, lamb’s ear, coreopsis, and alliums. These plants not only complement the colors and textures of iris, but they also provide added benefits to your garden ecosystem.

• Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) makes an excellent partner for iris due to its similar height and delicate, silver-gray foliage. This perennial herb complements the vibrant colors of iris blooms, creating a stunning visual contrast. Additionally, Russian sage attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which helps with pollination and promotes a healthy garden ecosystem.

• Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is another fantastic companion for iris. Its soft, velvety leaves provide a striking contrast against the smooth petals of iris flowers. Lamb’s ear also forms dense clumps that act as a beautiful ground cover, preventing weed growth and retaining moisture in the soil. Moreover, this plant is known for its drought tolerance, making it an ideal partner for iris, which also prefers well-drained soil.

• Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) is a cheerful perennial with bright, daisy-like flowers that come in various colors, including yellow, orange, and pink. These vibrant blooms create an eye-catching display next to the elegant iris flowers. Coreopsis is also a low-maintenance plant that attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Furthermore, it thrives in full sun, making it a perfect match for iris, which also prefers ample sunlight.

• Alliums (Allium spp.) are a unique addition to any garden, including those with iris. These ornamental flowering bulbs produce spherical flower clusters in various shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. Planted alongside iris, they create a captivating contrast in height and form. Moreover, alliums are known for their resistance to pests and diseases, making them a reliable companion plant for iris.

Snapdragons, Cleome, Cosmos, and Dianthus

If you’re looking to add some diversity and vibrancy to your iris garden, consider planting snapdragons, cleome, cosmos, and dianthus as companions. These plants not only provide a harmonious blend of colors but also attract beneficial insects and create a delightful fragrance.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are known for their distinct, snap-like flowers that come in various shades, including red, yellow, orange, pink, and white. These tall, spiky blooms add vertical interest to your iris garden, creating a visually pleasing contrast in shape. Snapdragons also attract bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination and maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.

Cleome (Cleome hassleriana), also known as spider flower, is an excellent choice for adding height and drama to your iris garden. With its tall, branching stems and clusters of delicate, spider-like flowers, cleome creates a remarkable backdrop for iris blooms. Additionally, cleome attracts a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, enhancing the overall biodiversity of your garden.

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a stunning annual flower that produces an abundance of colorful blooms in shades of pink, white, and purple. These daisy-like flowers add a touch of whimsy and charm to your iris garden. Furthermore, cosmos attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an excellent companion plant for iris.

Dianthus, commonly known as pinks or carnations, is a versatile perennial that comes in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, white, and purple. These fragrant flowers add a delightful scent to your iris garden and create a beautiful contrast in form and texture. Dianthus also attracts pollinators and is relatively low-maintenance, making it a perfect partner for iris.

Nasturtium, Petunia, Moss Rose, and Calibrachoa

For a vibrant and colorful iris garden, consider planting nasturtium, petunia, moss rose, and calibrachoa as companions. These annual flowers offer a profusion of hues that beautifully complement the elegance of iris blooms, creating a captivating display.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a versatile plant that produces edible flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red. These vibrant blooms add a bold splash of color to your iris garden and also act as a natural pest deterrent. Nasturtium’s distinctive fragrance repels pests like aphids and whiteflies, protecting your iris plants from infestation.

Petunias (Petunia spp.) are a classic choice for adding splashes of color to any garden. These trumpet-shaped flowers come in a wide range of shades, from delicate pastels to vibrant neons. Planted alongside iris, petunias create a striking visual contrast, highlighting the beauty of both plants. Moreover, petunias are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.

Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) is a drought-tolerant annual that thrives in hot, sunny conditions. Its succulent-like foliage and vibrant, jewel-toned flowers make it a beautiful companion for iris. Moss rose blooms from late spring to early fall, providing continuous color and interest to your garden. Additionally, its low-growing habit acts as a living mulch, helping to suppress weed growth around your iris plants.

Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa spp.) is a cascading annual that produces an abundance of small, bell-shaped flowers in various colors, including purple, pink, yellow, and white. These vibrant blooms spill over the edges of containers or hanging baskets, creating a stunning display when paired with iris in your garden. Calibrachoa is also known for its ability to attract pollinators, ensuring a flourishing garden ecosystem.

• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): versatile plant with edible flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red. Acts as a natural pest deterrent.
• Petunias (Petunia spp.): classic choice for adding splashes of color to any garden, comes in a wide range of shades.
• Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora): drought-tolerant annual with succulent-like foliage and vibrant jewel-toned flowers. Blooms from late spring to early fall and acts as a living mulch to suppress weed growth.
• Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa spp.): cascading annual with small, bell-shaped flowers in various colors. Creates a stunning display in containers or hanging baskets and attracts pollinators.

Pansies, Violas, and Other Bulbs

When it comes to planting companions for iris, pansies, violas, and other bulbous plants are an excellent choice. These plants not only provide a burst of color but also create a charming, cottage garden feel that beautifully complements the elegance of iris flowers.

Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) and violas (Viola spp.) are cool-season annuals that produce a wide range of vibrant flowers. With their rounded, cheerful faces, they add a playful touch to your iris garden. Pansies and violas come in various colors, including purple, yellow, white, and orange. Pairing them with iris creates a delightful contrast, showcasing the unique beauty of both plants.

In addition to pansies and violas, other bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths can also be wonderful companions for iris. These spring-flowering bulbs provide a burst of color and fragrance that beautifully complements the elegance of iris blooms. By selecting bulbs with different bloom times and heights, you can create a continuous display of flowers throughout the growing season.

Planting bulbs alongside iris also helps maximize the space in your garden. As iris plants go dormant after blooming, the emerging bulbs fill the gaps and add interest during iris’ dormant period. This layered planting technique creates a visually appealing garden that is constantly evolving throughout the year.

• Pansies and violas are cool-season annuals
• They come in various colors, including purple, yellow, white, and orange
• Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are other bulbs that can be companions for iris
• Select bulbs with different bloom times and heights for a continuous display of flowers

Boxwood, Juniper, Rhododendrons, and Azaleas

When it comes to choosing companions for iris, boxwood, juniper, rhododendrons, and azaleas are excellent options. These evergreen shrubs provide a beautiful backdrop for the showy iris blooms, adding structure, texture, and year-round interest to your garden.

Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is a versatile shrub that comes in various sizes and shapes, making it suitable for different garden styles. Its dense foliage and compact habit create a neat and polished look, framing iris plants beautifully. Boxwood also acts as an excellent border or hedge, defining the boundaries of your garden and providing a sense of structure.

Juniper (Juniperus spp.) is another evergreen shrub that pairs well with iris. With their dense, needle-like foliage, junipers create a striking visual contrast against the delicate iris blooms. Juniper bushes also provide year-round interest with their varying shades of green, blue, and silver. Additionally, junipers are known for their low maintenance and drought tolerance, making them a practical choice for any garden.

Rhododendrons and azaleas belong to the same family and are cherished for their stunning flowers and glossy evergreen foliage. Their large, showy blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, and white make them a natural companion for iris. Rhododendrons and azaleas also provide shade and shelter to iris plants, which prefer cool roots and partially shaded conditions.

When planting shrubs alongside iris, consider their growth habits and mature size. Allow enough space for both plants to thrive without overcrowding each other. By carefully selecting and positioning shrubs, you can create a visually appealing and well-balanced garden that showcases the beauty of iris and its companions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right companion plants for iris enhances the beauty and overall appeal of your garden. Whether you prefer the subtle elegance of Russian sage, lamb’s ear, coreopsis, and alliums, or the vibrant colors of snapdragons, cleome, cosmos, and dianthus, there is a perfect match for your iris plants.

Additionally, incorporating nasturtium, petunia, moss rose, and calibrachoa, or adding pansies, violas, and other bulbs can infuse your garden with charm and diversity.

Finally, using boxwood, juniper, rhododendrons, and azaleas as shrub companions creates structure, texture, and year-round interest.

“With careful selection and placement, you can create a stunning iris garden that is captivating and visually pleasing year after year.”

• Russian sage
• Lamb’s ear
• Coreopsis
• Alliums
• Snapdragons
• Cleome
• Cosmos
• Dianthus
• Nasturtium
• Petunia
• Moss rose
• Calibrachoa
• Pansies
• Violas
• Boxwood
• Juniper
• Rhododendrons
• Azaleas

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Frequently Asked Questions

What pairs well with iris?

In addition to the beautiful combination of iris and peonies, another pairing that works well with iris is the combination of iris and roses. The vibrant hues of iris flowers create a striking contrast against the delicate petals of roses, resulting in a stunning visual display. The diverse range of colors available in both iris and roses allows for endless possibilities, whether it’s a harmonious blend of soft pastels or a bold juxtaposition of vibrant tones. Together, iris and roses create a mesmerizing symphony of colors that enhances any garden or floral arrangement.

What grows iris best?

The key to growing irises successfully lies in providing them with optimal conditions. These vibrant flowers thrive when exposed to full sun, allowing them to receive abundant energy for growth and blooming. In addition to sunlight, it is essential to ensure that the soil has excellent drainage, preventing waterlogging that can damage the iris roots. Providing irises with ample space allows them to spread out and establish themselves, which ultimately leads to more prolific blooming. Adding fertilizer and dividing large clumps can further enhance the chances of seeing vibrant blooms. While it may take some patience, giving irises an extra year to become fully established can result in a more robust and stunning display of flowers.

Can lilies and irises grow together?

Yes, lilies and irises can indeed grow together. Both lilies and irises benefit from having shallow-rooted companions, as it helps to keep their roots cool. Irises are particularly well-suited to grow alongside lilies due to their shallow root systems. The combination of their vibrant colors and complementary shapes creates a beautiful visual display in the garden. Whether it’s the graceful petals of the lilies or the striking blooms of the irises, these two plants can create an enchanting garden scene when grown together.

What is the best ground cover for iris beds?

One of the top choices for covering iris beds is Creeping Thyme. With its dense growth and low height, Creeping Thyme creates a beautiful carpet of tiny, fragrant flowers that not only provides a stunning backdrop for irises but also helps retain soil moisture. Another great option is Corsican Mint, a delicate ground cover that spreads quickly and fills in the spaces around irises. Its tiny, aromatic leaves release a refreshing scent when stepped on and its low growth helps to retain moisture in the soil, keeping the irises happy and hydrated.

References: 1, 2, 3, 4