Bearded iris
Iris germanica
Bearded iris is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to full sun and loam, sandy soil or chalk, flowering May, Jun.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 80 cm |
| Spread | 45 cm |
| Aspect | full sun |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-9a, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 80 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 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 9a and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, chalk soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Bearded 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
- 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:
- Drumstick Alliumto flower when it does not
- Hardy Plumbagoto edge in front
- Lamb's Earsto edge in front
- Ornamental Sage 'Caradonna'to flower when it does not
- Salvia 'Hot Lips'to flower when it does not
- Star of Persiaas a partner at the same level
Garden styles
Cottage garden Mediterranean Modern
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: