African Iris

Dietes iridioides

African Iris is a perennial for mid-border, structure, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or moist ground, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 90 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 90 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 8b to 11b and rated H4 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, clay soil, wet soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses African Iris's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Allium 'Purple Sensation'to flower when it does not
• American Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls'for height behind it
• Angelita Daisyto edge in front
• Anise/Blue Sagefor height behind it
• Aromatic Asterto edge in front
• Atamasco Rain Lilyto edge in front

Garden styles

Wildlife garden