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Irises, also known as irises, are among the most popular garden perennials with their uncomplicated nature and beautiful flowers. There is an almost unmanageable number of species and varieties. We introduce you to 45 particularly attractive irises.

In a nutshell

  • species-rich genus of irises (iris): more than 300 species
  • numerous cultivars and cultivars
  • exact number of varieties unknown
  • various flower colors
  • summer bloomers

Bearded iris (Iris × barbata)

The almost unmanageable cultivated forms of the bearded iris, which are divided into three different groups depending on the growth height and flowering time, are particularly popular in the garden. However, the Iris x barbata is not a specific species of iris, but hybrid varieties with a common external feature: the characteristic "beard" on the hanging leaves.

Tall Bearded Iris (Iris x barbata elatior)

The varieties belonging to the high bearded iris grow to a height of at least 70 centimeters and bloom from the end of May into June.

'Ambassador'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • deep wine-red flowers with partially mackerel hanging leaves
  • Flower colors may vary
  • proven and robust variety

'boules de neige'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • Flowers white with a yellow center
  • wavy flower edge
  • Needs a dry, full sun

Notice: This variety is also considered to be extremely frost hardy and otherwise very robust. The nectar-rich flower also attracts bumblebees and bees.

'Changing Times'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • whitish pink and crimson petals with yellow beard
  • proven American breed from 1977
  • particularly suitable for group plantings

Tip: Cut off faded or dried stems to extend the flowering period of this beautiful strain.

'Echo de France'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • Flowers bicolored pure white and yellow
  • proven breeding from 1984
  • very suitable for group plantings

'Foamy Wave'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • intense blue petals with white mirror
  • flowers relatively small
  • very suitable for pot culture

'Golden Trimmings'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • multicolored flowers: standards white and light yellow, white and orange hanging leaves
  • proven breeding from 1973
  • very hardy

'Gypsy Romance'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • intense purplish violet flowers with dark violet beard
  • Cut off the faded
  • goes well with roses and Mediterranean plants

'Haut les Voiles'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • Attractive, two-toned, fragrant flowers: creamy-white standards, light blue fall leaves
  • develops many flower stalks
  • proven breeding from 2000

Tip: Irises do not tolerate waterlogging at all, which is why the soil should be provided with drainage before planting.

'Jurassic Park'

  • up to 120 centimeters high
  • high-contrast flower colour: purple drop leaves, light yellow standards
  • light scent
  • striking breed from 1995

'La Vie en Rose'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • uniformly soft pink colored petals with an orange beard
  • subtle floral scent
  • goes well with other perennials with dark colored flowers

Tip: After flowering, you should cut off the stems to about ten centimeters above the rhizome.

'Mulled Wine'

  • up to 100 centimeters high
  • Flowers in dark raspberry red and deep orange
  • popular American breed from 1982
  • floriferous and hardy

'musicians'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • tricolor breeding from 2004
  • Apricot standards, white droplets with crimson veins, orange beard
  • well suited for group plantings and perennial beds

'Natchez Trace'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • maroon and apricot colored flowers
  • light scent
  • tolerates drought and needs a lot of sun

'Night Owl'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • particularly dark blue flowers
  • Flowers particularly large and velvety-looking
  • Breeding from 1970

'October Sun'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • sun-yellow, slightly fragrant flowers
  • well-branched flower stalks
  • Suitable for both single and group planting

'Oregon Skies'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • uniformly light blue flowers with a yellow beard
  • particularly strong foliage
  • goes well with lavender or ornamental onions

'Owyhee Desert'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • attractive tricolor flowers: white standards, white base color of the falls and brownish-purple markings
  • pleasantly scented
  • also very suitable for pot culture

'Parisia'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • white-purple flowers with an orange beard
  • long flowering period
  • good hardy

'Raptor Red'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • velvety, deep brown-violet flowers
  • quite young breed from 2008
  • strong growth, plentiful flowers

Tip: This variety is particularly effective between evergreen ground covers or in combination with roses.

'Schiaparelli'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • bright pink, striking flower color
  • popular American breed from 1972
  • particularly suitable for perennial beds

'Stepping Out'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • bicolor flowers: white with violet border
  • distinctive and eye-catching breed from 1964
  • easily divisible variety

Notice: If the rhizomes of an iris are soggy and/or smell unpleasant, this is usually due to the unsuitable location. Dig up the plant and replant it in a full sun and dry place.

'superstition'

  • up to 90 centimeters high
  • Rare flower color: deep black-violet hanging leaves, violet standards
  • intense floral scent
  • branched growth

'Wine and Roses'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • bicolor flowers: pink standards, purple falls, orange beard
  • still very popular breed from 1963
  • good hardy

Tip: You should divide this variety every three to four years, as older specimens lose their willingness to flower. By dividing, the plants rejuvenate.

Medium-tall bearded iris (Iris x barbata media)

The medium-tall varieties of the bearded iris bloom from May to June and reach a height of between 40 and 70 centimeters.

Medium-tall bearded irises (here the 'Bel Azur' variety) are between the low and tall varieties in terms of both height and height. All are multiplied in the same way.

'Arctic Fancy'

  • up to 50 centimeters high
  • bicolored, very contrasting flowers: white with a dark blue edge
  • fragrant and free-flowering variety

Tip: When planting, only plant two-thirds of the rhizomes in the ground, leaving one-third exposed. This prevents rotting.

'Eleanor Roosevelt'

  • up to 60 centimeters high
  • Flowers dark blue with violet hues
  • plentiful

'florentine'

  • up to 60 centimeters high
  • fragrant white flowers
  • plentiful

,Dawn'

  • up to 50 centimeters high
  • free flowering variety with bright light blue flowers

'Szintella'

  • up to 60 centimeters high
  • fragrant, delicate yellow flowers
  • plentiful with good branching

Dwarf irises (Iris pulima)

The small dwarf irises only grow to a height of between 15 and 30 centimeters and are very early bloomers: they show their flowers from the end of April.

Source: Atriplexmedia, Pp skalky u havraniku 20 duben 20, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

'Alster Spring'

  • colourful, variable flower colour: light blue to light violet, yellow to white
  • up to 25 centimeters high

'Cherry Garden'

  • up to 30 centimeters high
  • wine-red, fragrant flowers

'Gleaming Gold'

  • up to 30 centimeters high
  • floriferous variety with yellow flowers

'Lilly White'

  • up to 20 centimeters high
  • pure white flowers
  • well-branched inflorescences

'Little Sapphire'

  • up to 30 centimeters high
  • light blue flowers with dark veined hanging leaves

'Little Shadow'

  • up to 30 centimeters high
  • dark violet-blue flowers, darker hanging leaves

Notice: Dwarf irises are not only suitable for borders, but can also be planted in window boxes and small pots.

'wrestler'

  • bicolor flowers: brownish red with a yellow center
  • up to 30 centimeters high

'snugglebug'

  • wine-red to brownish flowers with a violet beard
  • up to 25 centimeters high

Siberian iris (Iris sibirica)

The Siberian iris is perfect for planting along the banks of garden ponds, but can also be used for borders and beds. The soil should be fresh and humus. The species, also known as the beardless iris, belongs to the summer bloomers and shows its flowers between May and June.

'Butter & Sugar'

  • up to 60 centimeters high
  • Flowers yellow with a white neck

'Caesar's Brother'

  • up to a meter high
  • midnight blue flowers with patterned hanging leaves

'Perry's Blue'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • many small, blue flowers

'Snow Queen'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • pure white flowers

'Sparkling Rose'

  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • dark, reddish-purple flowers with white markings
  • Flowers resemble orchids

Other popular types

Asian marsh iris (Iris laevigata)

Source: By ja:利用者:＋－ - ja:ファイル:杜若 勧修寺.JPG.webp, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36776560
  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • violet-blue, variable flower colour
  • for fresh to moist soils

Native swamp iris (Iris pseudacorus)

  • native species with bright yellow flowers
  • ideal for bank planting and moist soil
  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • blooms between June and July

Marsh iris (Iris versicolor)

  • ideal for shallow water or damp / swampy garden soil
  • up to 80 centimeters high
  • violet, clearly veined flowers
  • Flowering time between June and July

frequently asked Questions

How many types and varieties of irises are there?

As of 2022, there are over 300 different, wild-growing iris species worldwide. Then there are the hybrid cultivars such as the popular bearded iris, which is not strictly a botanical species. Not even experts know exactly how many cultivars there are.

Which plants go particularly well with irises in the bed?

The lily species that prefer dry soil and a sunny location can be combined very well with roses, lavender, peonies, delphiniums, day lilies, tulips and poppies. Grasses such as giant feather grass (Celtica gigantea) or blue fescue (Festuca cinerea) also harmonize well.

Are irises a bulbous plant?

No, irises do not form bulbs like tulips or daffodils, but survive in rhizomes. The only exception is the netted iris. Every autumn, the above-ground parts of the plant die off and the tuber or rhizome remains in the ground. The iris will sprout again next spring.

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Garden plants