Tall bearded irises and Siberian irises bloom in late spring and look great in any cottage garden or flower bed. A patch of iris can look worn out after the flowers die off and the bulbs use up all the plants’ energy to get ready for winter.
Planting iris plant companions that fill out and bloom later in the season can hide spent iris plants. Companion plants for irises can also be spring blooming flowers that accentuate and contrast iris blooms.
Companion planting is the practice of combining plants that benefit each other. Sometimes companion plants help each other resist diseases and pests. Some companion plants benefit the taste and scent of each other. Other plant companions simply benefit each other aesthetically.
Irises won’t change the taste or pest resistance of plants that grow with them, but they look great in almost all gardens. Iris tubers don’t take up much space in the garden and don’t try to take nutrients or space from other plants.
After the spring blooms, they can be tucked into spots with full sun to part shade. Iris doesnt seem to mind growing alongside any plant. They can even be grown near black walnuts and other juglone producing plants.
Iris bring elegance and grace to the garden with their distinctive flowers and sword-shaped foliage. While iris bloom for a relatively short period in spring, the right companion plants can extend your garden’s beauty before, during, and after the iris show.
By pairing iris with plants that bloom at different times, you can create stunning combinations and maximize seasonal interest. Read on to discover the best options for iris companion plants.
Good Companion Plants for Iris Bloom Time
Iris make excellent companion plants since their relatively sparse foliage allows room for other flowers Here are some top picks for iris partners that bloom at the same time for a coordinated display
-
Allium – Ornamental onion bulbs produce globes of color just as iris finish Purple is classic, but allium also come in pink, white, and yellow.
-
Columbine – These cottage garden favorites complement iris with their delicate, nodding blooms. Try aquilegia in purple, pink, yellow, or white.
-
Lupine – The spires of lupine bring height and drama. Choose colorful hybrids or native wild lupine.
-
Pansy – Cheerful pansies are ideal for edging iris beds. Go for solid colors or mixed strains.
-
Poppy – Oriental and Iceland poppies deliver huge satiny blooms to contrast with iris.
-
Salvia – Spike-like flower wands in shades of blue, purple, and red add vibrance.
Early Bloomers to Precede Iris
Plant these spring stars before iris emerge to extend your garden’s spring flowering window:
-
Bulbs – Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and crocus are classic choices. Underplant iris with smaller bulbs like grape hyacinths.
-
Hellebore – Rose-like blooms on this early perennial provide winter interest. Hellebore fill space before iris foliage develops.
-
Forget-me-not – Dainty blue forget-me-nots create soft pools of color ahead of iris season. Self-seeds freely.
-
Pansy – Hardy pansies flower early then take a break before blooming again as iris finish.
-
Bleeding heart – Fantail blossoms dangle from arching stems on this shade lover.
Long Bloomers to Follow Iris
These companion plants for iris will carry your garden’s beauty through the season after iris have finished flowering:
-
Daylily – Reliable reblooming daylilies flower all summer with proper care. Choose early, late and repeating varieties.
-
Hosta – Hostas thrive alongside iris with their variegated foliage. Many have lavender flower spikes, too.
-
Ornamental grasses – Grasses like Miscanthus add movement and texture after iris fade.
-
Phlox – Summer phlox produce billowy flower heads in a range of heights and colors.
-
Rudbeckia – Bold black-eyed Susan daisies provide big color impact into fall.
-
Yarrow – Flat-topped clusters of tiny blooms attract pollinators. Feathery foliage adds texture.
Design Tips for Iris Companion Plantings
Follow these tips to design a successful iris and companion plant garden:
-
Place taller plants like delphinium and lupine behind iris to create a layered look.
-
Use short edging plants like violas and dwarf daffodils in front of iris for separation.
-
Underplant iris with lower-growing perennials like thyme and sedum which cover bare spots when iris foliage dies back.
-
For a casual cottage look, scatter companion plants loosely throughout the bed.
-
Create drifts or clusters of 3-7 plants for each variety for visual impact. Repeat colors for cohesion.
-
Limit yourself to 3-5 plant varieties in addition to iris for a clean, blended effect.
Caring for Your Iris Companion Plantings
-
Establish most perennials like phlox and poppies in spring or fall when temperatures are mild.
-
Prepare soil well with compost before planting and use mulch to conserve moisture.
-
Fertilize iris lightly in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer on companions which can inhibit bloom.
-
Set new bulbs in fall 6-8 weeks before frost for root development.
-
Divide clumps of overgrown perennials like daylily and yarrow every 3-5 years to rejuvenate.
-
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering. Cut back faded foliage on bulbs and perennials after bloom.
Complementary Color Schemes for Iris Companions
Some beautiful color combinations to inspire your plant pairings include:
- Purple iris with silver allium, pink peonies, white columbine
- Blue iris with yellow coreopsis, pink poppies, white candytuft
- Yellow iris with violet salvia, blue bachelor’s buttons, white violas
- White iris with red poppies, blue clematis, pink hellebore
Design a Stunning Spring Iris Garden
By combining flowering iris with well-chosen companion plants, you can orchestrate a spectacular spring garden filled with color, texture, and seasonal variety. Experiment with these suggestions for bloom times, plant heights, colors, and design styles. With the right plant partners, your iris will shine as the stars of the spring garden.
What to Plant With Iris
When selecting companion plants for iris, think of season long color. In the spring, irises will need complimentary plants. When iris flowers fade, you’ll need plants that will quickly fill in their gap. For a spring garden full of blooms, use these companion plants for iris:
Spring blooming shrubs are old fashioned favorite iris companion plants. Try the following:
How to Plant Iris Correctly for Long Term Success
FAQ
What is the best ground cover for iris beds?
Can you plant daylilies and iris together?
Why are iris flowers so popular?
The bright colors are sure to impress any onlooker, which is no surprise because the name is derived from the Greek goddess of rainbows. Today’s iris flowers are available in an array of colors and patterns, including bold, solid tones, and multi-colored, extravagantly patterned displays.
How do irises grow?
Irises are fairly easy to grow and come from either a rhizome (tubular underground roots) or a single bulb (bulbous). These irises have thickened roots that grow horizontally underground (very close to the surface).
What do Iris eat?
The iris is white. The female is olive-green with a pale belly. It feeds mainly on small fruits but also on insects and spiders. The males perform a complex lek display during the breeding season using a series of stereotyped movements. The nest is a small open cup on the fork of a bush about 2 to 3 m off the ground. The clutch is 2.