Dwarf Crested Iris

Iris cristata

Dwarf Crested Iris is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and clay, loam or acid soil, flowering Apr, May.

Where to use it in a border

At around 20 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 35 cm of room to spread, roughly 3 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Dwarf Crested 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

• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
• 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:

• Anise/Blue Sagefor height behind it
• Atamasco Rain Lilyto edge in front
• Black Cohoshfor height behind it
• Blackthornfor height behind it
• Blue Mistflowerto edge in front
• Blue Wood Asterto edge in front

Garden styles

Native Wildlife garden Woodland