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Iris

Iris selections
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Iris

Named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, iris indeed comes in a rainbow of colors and in many heights. All have the classic, impossibly intricate flowers. The flowers are constructed with three upright "standard" petals and three drooping "fall" petals, which are often different colors. The falls may be "bearded" or not. Some cultivars bloom a second time in late summer. Different species prefer alkaline while others prefer acidic soil.

Shown above: Immortality iris

Light:
Sun, Part Sun
Zones:
3-9
Plant Type:
Perennial
Plant Height:
6 inches to 3 feet tall, depending on type
Plant Width:
6 inches to 2 feet wide, depending on type
Landscape Uses:
Containers, Beds & Borders, Slopes, Groundcover
Special Features:
Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Winter Interest, Cut Flowers, Attracts Birds, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant, Tolerates Wet Soil, Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties


(Iris sibirica 'Bennerup Blue') produces cobalt-blue flowers with a small white blotch. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 3-9
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(Iris 'Champagne Elegance') has glamorous fragrant flowers, several per stem, which have pale buff-apricot falls with amber beards, and white standards faintly blushed pink. This tall bearded-type may rebloom in late summer. It grows 3 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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(Iris cristata) is a wild form native to areas of North America. It bears blue, white, or purple flowers in spring over tiny clumps of sword-shaped foliage to 1 foot tall. Zones 3-9
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(Iris ensata 'Electric Rays') is a Japanese iris with large double violet flowers streaked with white. This award-winning variety grows 3 feet tall. Zones 5-9
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(Iris sibirica 'Harpswell Snowburst') offers blue-violet flowers edged in white. It grows 3 feet tall. Zones 3-9
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(Iris 'Immortality') is a tall bearded type that offers pure white flowers. It commonly reblooms in fall and grows 3 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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(Iris chrysographes) is known for is especially dark purple-red fragrant flowers. It blooms in early summer and grows 2 feet tall. Zones 7-9
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(Iris danfordiae) is an early blooming bulb with single yellow flowers in late winter. It grows 6 inches tall. Zones 5-8
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(Iris fulva) has 4-inch wide coppery red flowers, yellow at the center but without beards. The sword like leaves may reach 4 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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(Iris ensata 'Satozakura') prefers to grow in water or damp places where soil is acidic. Its large, somewhat flat mauve to rosy pink flowers are yellow at the throat and conspicuously veined. Clumps grow to 3 feet tall and are hardy in Zones 6-9.
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(Iris sibirica 'White Swirl') makes tough clumps of narrow green sword-shaped leaves. In mid-summer it blooms with 1- to 2-inch pure white flowers touched with yellow at the base, several flowers per stem. Zones 3-9
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(Iris pseudacorus) grows vigorously in wet places. Its thick clumps of grayish spear like leaves may reach 4 feet tall. In late spring and summer 2-inch yellow flowers appear on strong stems. It may become invasive. Zones 5-8
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Plant It With


Thrift

Thrifts' tight mounds of grayish foliage and spherical pink or white flowers heads are perfect companions for some of the low-growing species of iris in rock gardens.

Primrose

Many primroses thrive in wet areas where water-loving iris also thrive. Earlier blooming primroses extends the season of bloom which is continued by the iris.

Peony

The sumptuous flowers and handsome fingered foliage of peonies show off well against bearded iris flowers and sword-shaped leaves.

Lupine

In areas where lupines do well, the vertical spikes of flowers make a stunning picture with bearded iris. Their palmate leaves contrast well with those of iris.

Propagation


Seed
Division

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