What to Plant With Irises: The Best Companion Plants for a Beautiful Garden

Irises are a beautiful and versatile flower that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. But what do you plant with irises?

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best plants to pair with irises, including companion plants that will help to improve the health and appearance of your irises, as well as plants that will create a beautiful and harmonious display. We’ll also provide some tips on how to plant and care for irises, so you can enjoy their beauty for years to come.

Plant	Benefits	Tips
Daylilies	Provide early-season blooms Help to fill in spaces between irises Attract pollinators	Plant daylilies in full sun to partial shade. Space them 12-18 inches apart. Water them regularly, especially during dry spells.
Peonies	Add height and structure to the garden Bloom in late spring or early summer Attract pollinators	Plant peonies in full sun to partial shade. Space them 2-3 feet apart. Water them regularly, especially during dry spells.
Lavender	Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance Attract pollinators Help to repel pests	Plant lavender in full sun. Space them 12-18 inches apart. Water them deeply once a week, or more often during dry spells.

Planting Irises

Irises are a beautiful addition to any garden, but they can be tricky to grow. Here are some tips on how to plant irises successfully:

• When to plant irises

The best time to plant irises is in the fall, after the first frost. This allows the roots to establish themselves before the ground freezes. However, you can also plant irises in the spring, as long as the soil is not too warm.

• Where to plant irises

Irises prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. They also need well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, you may need to add some sand or compost to improve drainage.

• How to plant irises

To plant irises, dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the rhizome. Place the rhizome in the hole so that the roots are pointing down and the top of the rhizome is level with the soil. Cover the rhizome with soil and water well.

Combining Irises with Other Plants

Irises can be combined with a variety of other plants to create a beautiful and colorful garden. Here are some tips on combining irises with other plants:

• Plants that complement irises

Irises come in a variety of colors, so you can choose plants that complement their colors. For example, you could plant irises with bluebells, which have a similar color scheme. You could also plant irises with white flowers, which will help to highlight the colors of the irises.

• Plants that contrast with irises

If you want to create a more dramatic effect, you can plant irises with plants that contrast with their colors. For example, you could plant irises with red flowers, which will create a striking contrast. You could also plant irises with yellow flowers, which will help to brighten up the garden.

• Plants that tolerate the same growing conditions as irises

When choosing plants to combine with irises, it is important to make sure that they tolerate the same growing conditions. Irises prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are also relatively drought tolerant. So, you should choose plants that have similar requirements.

Here are some examples of plants that can be combined with irises:

• Complementary plants

• Bluebells
• White flowers
• Red flowers
• Yellow flowers

• Contrasting plants

• Red flowers
• Yellow flowers

• Plants that tolerate the same growing conditions

• Daylilies
• Peonies
• Roses
• Hostas
• Shasta daisies

Irises are a beautiful and versatile flower that can be used to create a variety of beautiful gardens. By following these tips, you can successfully plant and combine irises with other plants to create a stunning display.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• [The Iris Society](https://www.irissociety.org/)
• [The American Iris Society](https://www.ais.org/)
• [The Royal Horticultural Society](https://www.rhs.org.uk/)

What To Plant With Irises?

Irises are a beautiful addition to any garden, and they can be planted with a variety of other plants to create a stunning display. When choosing companion plants for irises, it is important to consider the size, shape, and color of the plants.

Size

Irises come in a variety of sizes, from small dwarf varieties to tall bearded irises. When choosing companion plants, it is important to make sure that the plants are not too overwhelming for the irises. Smaller plants, such as creeping phlox, can be used to fill in the spaces between irises, while taller plants, such as ornamental grasses, can be used to create a backdrop for the irises.

Shape

Irises have a variety of shapes, from the delicate petals of Siberian irises to the ruffled blooms of bearded irises. When choosing companion plants, it is important to choose plants that have a complementary shape. For example, spiky plants, such as yucca, can be used to contrast with the rounded blooms of irises.

Color

Irises come in a wide range of colors, from the vibrant blues and purples of bearded irises to the delicate whites and pinks of Siberian irises. When choosing companion plants, it is important to choose plants that have a complementary color. For example, bright yellow flowers can be used to brighten up a bed of irises, while deep purple flowers can be used to create a more dramatic effect.

Here are some of the best companion plants for irises:

• Daylilies are a good choice for companion plants for irises because they have similar growing requirements. Daylilies also come in a variety of colors, so you can easily find a variety that complements your irises.
• Peonies are another good choice for companion plants for irises. Peonies bloom in early summer, so they will help to extend the flowering season in your garden. Peonies also come in a variety of colors, so you can easily find a variety that complements your irises.
• Ornamental grasses are a good choice for companion plants for irises because they add height and texture to the garden. Ornamental grasses also come in a variety of colors, so you can easily find a variety that complements your irises.
• Siberian irises are a good choice for companion plants for bearded irises. Siberian irises have a similar growth habit to bearded irises, so they will not compete for resources. Siberian irises also come in a variety of colors, so you can easily find a variety that complements your bearded irises.

When planting irises with other plants, it is important to make sure that the plants have similar growing requirements. The plants should also be planted at the same depth and in the same type of soil.

By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden with irises and other plants.

Caring for Irises

Irises are relatively easy to care for, but they do require some basic care to thrive. Here are some tips for caring for irises:

Watering

Irises need regular watering, especially during the summer months. Water them deeply once or twice a week, making sure to soak the roots. If the weather is hot and dry, you may need to water them more often.

Fertilizing

Irises do not require a lot of fertilizer, but they will benefit from a light application of fertilizer in the spring. Use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for irises or a general-purpose fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.

Pruning

Irises do not require much pruning, but you should deadhead the flowers to encourage new blooms. You can also cut back the foliage in the fall to help the plants overwinter.

Here are some additional tips for caring for irises:

• Plant irises in full sun or partial shade.
• Irises prefer well-drained soil.
• Irises are not tolerant of drought.
• Irises are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases.

By following these tips, you can help your irises to thrive and enjoy their beautiful blooms for years to come.

Troubleshooting Irises

Irises are generally healthy plants, but they can occasionally be affected by pests and diseases. Here are some of the most common problems with irises and how to deal with them:

Diseases

• Rust is a fungal disease that causes orange or brown spots on the leaves of irises. To treat rust, you can spray the plants with a fungicide or remove the affected leaves.

What To Plant With Irises?

Irises are a beautiful addition to any garden, but they can also be a bit tricky to grow. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when planting irises is what to plant them with. The right companion plants can help to improve the health and appearance of your irises, while the wrong plants can harm them.

Here are a few tips for choosing companion plants for irises:

• Choose plants that have similar growing conditions. Irises prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Make sure that the plants you choose have similar requirements so that they can thrive in the same conditions.
• Avoid plants that compete with irises for water and nutrients. Irises are heavy feeders, so they need plenty of water and nutrients to thrive. Avoid planting them with plants that are also heavy feeders, as this can lead to competition for resources.
• Consider the size of the plants. Irises come in a variety of sizes, from small miniatures to large bearded irises. When choosing companion plants, make sure to consider the size of the plants so that they don’t overwhelm each other.
• Choose plants that complement the appearance of irises. Irises come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. When choosing companion plants, consider choosing plants that will complement the appearance of your irises.

Here are a few specific companion plants that work well with irises:

• Daylilies are a good choice for companion plants for irises because they have similar growing conditions and they don’t compete for resources. Daylilies also come in a variety of colors and shapes, so you can choose plants that will complement the appearance of your irises.
• Hostas are another good choice for companion plants for irises because they provide shade and shelter from the wind. Hostas also help to improve the soil quality, which can benefit irises.
• Sedums are drought-tolerant plants that can help to improve the drainage of the soil around irises. Sedums also come in a variety of colors and shapes, so you can choose plants that will complement the appearance of your irises.

By following these tips, you can choose the best companion plants for your irises and help them to thrive.

Additional tips for growing irises:

• Plant irises in the fall. This is the best time to plant irises because they will have time to establish roots before the winter.
• Water irises regularly, especially during dry periods. Irises are drought-tolerant plants, but they will need more water during hot, dry weather.
• Fertilize irises in the spring and summer. Irises are heavy feeders, so they will benefit from regular fertilization.
• Deadhead irises regularly. This will help to keep the plants looking their best and prevent them from spreading.
• Prune irises in the fall. This will help to keep the plants healthy and encourage new growth.

By following these tips, you can grow beautiful, healthy irises in your garden.

there are many different plants that can be planted with irises. The best plants to pair with irises will depend on the specific type of iris you are growing, as well as your climate and soil conditions. By considering the factors discussed in this article, you can choose the best plants to complement your irises and create a beautiful and harmonious garden.

Here are some key takeaways to remember when choosing plants to pair with irises:

• Consider the size, shape, and color of the irises when choosing companion plants.
• Plant taller plants behind irises, and shorter plants in front.
• Choose plants that have similar water and soil requirements as irises.
• Avoid planting plants that are susceptible to the same pests and diseases as irises.
• Experiment with different combinations of plants to find the ones that work best in your garden.

By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden that features irises and their companion plants.