Iris is a popular and iconic flower known for its colorful, showy blooms and sword-shaped foliage If you love the look of iris but want to expand beyond the common bearded iris, there are many other plants that have an iris-like appearance Here are some of the top options for iris look-alikes
Blackberry Lily
The blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis) is a perennial with foliage similar to iris. It has fans of sword-shaped green leaves that can reach up to 3 feet tall. In mid to late summer, it produces orange flowers speckled with red that resemble small tiger lilies. The seed pods burst open when ripe to reveal blackberry-like beads, giving this plant its common name. Grow blackberry lily in full sun for the best flowering.
African Iris
African iris (Dietes iridioides), also called fortnight lily or butterfly iris, is a clumping perennial with stiff, iris-like foliage. It produces a succession of white flowers with yellow and purple markings from spring through fall. This is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that does well in hot, dry climates. Grow it in full sun for optimal flowering.
Yellow Flags
Yellow flags (Iris pseudacorus) is an iris species with bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. It has tall, erect foliage that creates a nice vertical accent in gardens and pond edges. Yellow flags thrives in moist soil and readily self-seeds, so take care when planting it around water features to prevent it from spreading too aggressively.
Iris Reticulata
Iris reticulata are small, early blooming bulb irises that grow just 4-6 inches tall. They have fans of slender, grassy leaves and produce flowers in shades of purple, blue, and yellow in late winter and early spring. Plant the bulbs in fall in a sunny location with well-drained soil. These petite irises are perfect for rock gardens and mixed containers.
Japanese Iris
Japanese iris (Iris ensata), also known as rabbit-ear iris, blooms in early summer with large, flattened flowers in shades of purple, blue, white, pink, and red. It has long, sword-shaped leaves that give it an iris look. Japanese iris grows best in consistently moist soil and appreciates afternoon shade in hot climates. Use it near ponds and water features.
Walking Iris
Walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) is a tropical bulb plant with long, arching foliage reminiscent of iris leaves. It produces a succession of delicate, iris-like flowers in shades of yellow, purple, pink, and white from late spring through fall. As the plant grows, it “walks” across the ground, spreading via rhizomes. Walking iris is hardy in zones 9-11 and does best in partial shade with regular watering.
Gladioolus
Gladiolus plants have tall spikes of flowers and sword-shaped foliage similar to bearded iris. The gladiolus flower spikes come in a diverse range of colors including red, pink, orange, yellow, white, purple, and multi-colors. Give gladiolus full sun and well-drained soil. Dig and store the corms over winter in cold climates.
Crocosmia
Crocosmia, also known as montbretia, produces arching sprays of small, iris-like flowers in summer and fall. Popular varieties have red, orange, or yellow blooms. The sword-like leaves closely resemble iris foliage. Grow crocosmia in full sun to partial shade and provide regular water. Crocosmia spreads readily via corms, which makes it a great iris substitute for mass plantings.
Sisyrinchium
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium spp.) has fine, grassy foliage and delicate flowers that resemble miniature irises Most commonly grown is S. angustifolium, which has light blue flowers with yellow centers that bloom in late spring. Plant blue-eyed grass in full sun to partial shade and average soil that drains well It will naturalize readily by self-seeding.
Tigridia
Tigridia, also known as tiger flower or Mexican shell flower, produces exotic looking flowers in summer that have an iris form with clamshell-shaped petals. Flower colors include vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink The strappy, iris-like leaves remain low to the ground Grow tigridia bulbs in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Provide regular water.
Peruvian Lily
Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria spp.) is a popular cut flower that also makes an attractive garden plant, with lily-like blooms and slender leaves reminiscent of iris foliage. Flower colors include purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. Give Peruvian lily full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Cut back spent flower stems to encourage reblooming. Grow Peruvian lily as an annual or dig up the roots over winter in cold climates.
With so many options, you can definitely find iris look-alike plants to grow whether you want bulbs, perennials, annuals, or tropicals. Try combining several iris-like plants together for a cohesive look. Or mix them with true iris varieties to extend the iris bloom season in your garden.
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A-Z of Perennials: I is for IrisFiled under:
Irises are a genus of about 300 species that live in a wide range of environments all over the northern hemisphere. They are also called Flags, Sword Lilies, and Fleur de Lis. There are bulbs, rhizomatous (expanding, tuberous) roots, and fleshy-rooted plants. They can be evergreen or deciduous and have very varied growth requirements. Irises are classified by the Royal Horticultural Society into these sub sections or ‘subgenera’:
- Bearded species and cultivars come in a range of sizes, from small dwarfs to tall These are the iris types that are grown the most. They spread by roots and like soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
- Aril irises are a type of bearded iris that cease to bloom in the summer and need to be kept dry while they are dormant.
- Bearded irises tend to have fewer flowers per stem than bearded types. Unlike the Laevigate group, which needs wet soil, these plants spread by rhizomes and like it when the soil doesn’t stay wet.
- Crested irises are rhizomatous, spread freely, and prefer moist soil.
- Bulbous irises are beardless and summer dormant. They prefer well-drained soil.
According to mythology, the Iris was the messenger of the gods in ancient Greece. She talked to people on earth through a rainbow, which is a reference to the many colors of the Iris. People have loved irises for a long time, and the flowers have long been linked to royalty and heraldry.
Irises have six tepals, which are flat petals on the outside of the flower. There are three on the inside. The three on the outside bend back and may also hang down, which is why they are called “falls.” These are usually the most colorful parts of the flower, and bearded irises have especially big and colorful falls with white or colored hairs in the middle of each one that looks like a beard. Crested irises have a ridge (or crest) on each fall.
The three inner tepals are called “standards” because they usually stand straight up in the middle of the flower, like a flag. But they can also lie flat, like in I tectorum; droop as in I. bucharicha; or be much reduced as in I. danfordiae.
Three changed styles, known as stigma flaps, stick out from the middle of the flower over the falls. They can be an important part of the flower. The iris flower is interesting because it shows how flowering plants and pollinating insects are connected. The shape of the flower and the placement of the pollen-collecting and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals make it easy for flying insects to land. All parts of the Iris plant are poisonous and contact with the sap may cause skin irritation. However, Irises are low in allergens.
Irises are extensively grown as ornamental plants in home and botanical gardens. They can grow in any good, free garden soil. The smaller, more delicate species only need turf ingredients, like peat or loam, to keep the soil light and airy. The earliest to bloom are species like I. junonia and I. reichenbachii, which flower as early as February and March (Northern Hemisphere). These are followed by the dwarf forms of I. pumila, which bloom in the spring. These are followed by most of the tall bearded varieties in early summer, including the German Iris and its variety florentina, the Sweet Iris, the Hungarian Iris, the Lemon-yellow Iris, and their natural and horticultural hybrids, which are named things like I neglecta or I. squalens.
Iris reticulata Iris graminea Iris croatica ‘Botaniki’
The Iris is hardy, reliable, and easy to grow. Irises also attract butterflies and make lovely cut flowers. The Old Farmers’ Almanac suggests the following tips for growing Irises:
- “Irises need at least six hours of sun a day and soil that doesn’t stay soggy.” Without enough sun, they won’t bloom.
- They prefer fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil. Add some lime to your soil to make it less acidic, and don’t water too much in the summer because it can cause plants to rot.
- Other plants should not block the sun from bearded irises. Many of them do best in a separate bed.
- Soil drainage is very important. To a depth of 12 to 15 inches, break up the soil with a tiller or garden fork. Then, add a 2 to 4 inch layer of compost and mix it in.
- Plant iris in mid to late summer.
- Bearded irises have fleshy roots called rhizomes that should be partially exposed or barely covered with soil in hot places.
- If you want to grow rhizomes alone or in groups of three, space them 1 to 2 feet apart and make sure the fans are facing outward.
- Make a hole that is 10 inches across and 4 inches deep. In the middle, make a ridge of soil and place the rhizome on it. The roots should spread out on both sides of the ridge. Fill the hole with soil and firm it gently.
- Water thoroughly.
- Top-dress with a low-nitrogen fertilizer when you plant and again in early spring. ’.
How to Plant Iris Correctly for Long Term Success
FAQ
What plants are similar to irises?
What perennial looks like an iris?
What plant has leaves like an iris?
Which iris flowers are most popular?
The Reticulata Iris is another popular iris. It tends to be one of the earliest blooming of all iris flowers. Sometimes, this iris type is called the Netted Iris because its bulb has a fibrous net around it. The flowers are incredibly showy, making them a favorite in gardens. 3. Bearded Iris
What are the two types of irises?
This article fully explains the two categories of iris flowers and provides an overview of the most popular subtypes of irises within both categories. First, it’s important to know that there are only two types of irises: bulb irises and rhizome irises. Every iris you see belongs to one of these two categories.
What do iris flowers look like?
The flowers are broader and more flattened than the other types, rising on erect, sturdy stems atop a dense clump of sword-shaped linear green leaves with prominent midribs. This easy-to-grow iris loves humus-rich, medium to wet acidic soil. Flower Type: Beardless Flower Color: Blue, lavender, violet-red, pink, white
What are the different types of rhizome irises?
Rhizome irises bear three types of flowers: bearded, crested, and beardless. Following are some popular rhizome irises: 1. Bearded Iris (Iris x germanica) Commonly known as the bearded iris or the German bearded iris, it is a group of hybrid irises. With over 100 cultivars, all produce showy, fragrant flowers with six petals.
Are irises a perennial?
If you choose to purchase any of the products I have recommended, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. Irises are perennial plants that belong to the iris family, known as the Iridaceae family, which also includes crocuses, gladioli, freesias, and some other plants. Within the iris family, irises belong to the Iris genus.
Which rhizome irises grow best?
Of the rhizome irises, the Bearded Iris is the most popular. These flowers have super loud petals, and they are often much easier to grow than other rhizome irises. The name “Bearded” refers to the hairs that are found on each of the falls.