Best Companion Plants for Irises
Discover the best companion plants for bearded irises to enhance your garden’s beauty, attract pollinators, and extend the bloom season.
Bearded irises are one of my favorite plants. Many pass up on growing these stunning perennials because they bloom just a few weeks in late Spring. That is such a shame. They are so easy to put in a perennial border and give such a great early-season bloom to enjoy before many other things get started. And there are many companion plants for irises that add a longer bloom time.
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Iris thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Pairing them with the right companion plants enhances their beauty, attracts pollinators, and ensures a longer bloom season. Here are some of the best plants that I grow alongside bearded iris, along with their USDA hardiness zones.
Now you know I don’t grow by zones and this is why but it does help to let you know if something is perennial in your area.
Many other plants will do well, but I am sharing what I grow in my garden.
Campanion Plants For Irises
This is not an exhaustive list of what can be grown but it is what I personally grow in the garden along with my Iris.
1. Lime Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus ‘Lime’) – Zones 6-9
Lime thyme is a fragrant, low-growing groundcover that suppresses weeds and adds a bright green contrast to the upright foliage of bearded iris. Its tiny flowers attract pollinators, and it thrives in dry, well-drained soil.
Why is it a great companion plant for irises? The chartreuse color sets off the green of the leaves yet doesn’t distract from the flowers. It can take some foot traffic, and deer don’t love it.
Find what works for me for more ground covers to grow in your garden!
Grow Groundcovers!
2. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) – Zones 7-11 (perennial), grown as an annual in colder zones
Alyssum forms a delicate carpet of tiny, fragrant flowers that soften the base of bearded iris. It’s an excellent choice as a companion plant for irises since it attracts beneficial insects and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
It is super easy to grow from seed, my favorite is Tiny Tim from Botanical Interests.
3. Lithodora (Lithodora diffusa) – Zones 6-9
Lithodora is another beautiful ground cover. Its vibrant blue flowers provide a stunning contrast to the green foliage of bearded iris. This evergreen groundcover prefers well-draining soil and thrives in sunny or partially shaded spots.
4. Clematis (Clematis spp.) – Zones 4-9
Clematis vines are fantastic companion plants for irises since they can add vertical interest and extend the bloom season in a bearded iris garden. Their climbing habit allows them to complement irises without competing for space.
When we visited Scrheiners Iris Gardens in Salem, Oregon, the clematis display was as impressive as the iris. If you watch that video it will show you the supports they built from rebar that did a fabulous job of displaying them well.
Grow the Queen of Climbers
5. Nepeta (Catmint) (Nepeta spp.) – Zones 3-9
Nepeta’s soft, blue-purple flowers blend beautifully with irises. This drought-tolerant perennial is great for attracting pollinators and deterring pests like rabbits and aphids.
Nepeta is so easy to grow, and there are so many varieties that I have begun collecting them in my garden.
6. Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica) – Zones 3-8
Forget-me-nots create a whimsical, naturalized look with their dainty blue flowers. They thrive in moist, well-draining soil and partial shade, making them perfect for planting alongside bearded iris.
They start easily from seed directly sown in the garden or you can choose to start them inside.
7. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) – Zones 3-9
Columbine’s nodding, spurred flowers add elegance to a bearded iris bed. These shade-tolerant perennials bloom in early spring and pair beautifully with iris foliage.
These are another flower that can be directly sown in Fall or you can Winter Sow them.
8. Red Campion (Silene dioica, also known as Lychnis coronaria) – Zones 3-8
With its vivid magenta flowers and silvery foliage, red campion creates a striking contrast with bearded iris. It thrives in dry, well-drained soil and blooms from late spring into summer.
This old-fashioned cottage flower is an easy-to-grow yet tough perennial that is lovely even when not in bloom.
9. Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) – Zones 4-9
If you want a lush, colorful backdrop, rhododendrons provide beautiful spring blooms and evergreen foliage. Choose compact or dwarf varieties for the best balance with bearded iris.
10. Santa Barbara Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus) – Zones 5-9
Santa Barbara daisy produces a mass of small white and pink flowers, forming a soft, trailing groundcover. It’s drought-tolerant and pairs well with the structured form of bearded iris.
It is reputed to reseed easily and become problematic but mine does not do so in an aggressive way. So don’t be afraid to try it.
11. Hardy Geraniums (Geranium spp.) – Zones 4-9
Hardy geraniums (also known as cranesbill) are the perfect companion plants for iris as they fill the spaces between bearded iris clumps with mounds of colorful flowers. They are low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and bloom for a long season.
They range in height, so be sure to check how large yours gets before planting and check that it does not reseed readily. Certain varieties in my garden did reseed and became weedy. Chop back hard after a bloom to limit reseeding and to encourage rebloom.
How to Grow Hardy Geraniums
12. Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber) – Zones 5-9
Jupiter’s Beard thrives in dry conditions and produces clusters of deep pink, red or white flowers. It blooms from late spring to fall, ensuring color long after the bearded iris fades.
Keep it deadheaded for great rebloom, contain the size and prevent reseeding to aggressively! It is a great plant if you care for it properly.
13. Lupines (Lupinus spp.) – Zones 4-8
Lupines add striking vertical accents with their tall, spiky blooms. They improve soil by fixing nitrogen and create a dramatic color contrast with bearded iris.
They are also a great trap crop for aphids.
14. Peonies (Paeonia spp.) – Zones 3-8
Peonies are classic companions for bearded iris, with their large, fragrant blooms arriving just after the irises fade. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.
Related: How to Plant Bare Root Peonies!
15. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) – Zones 4-9 (biennial/perennial)
Foxgloves add a touch of cottage-garden charm with their tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers. They thrive in partial shade and attract bees and hummingbirds.
Grow Foxgloves with Easy
Final Thoughts
Pairing bearded iris with these companion plants creates a more vibrant and abundantly blooming garden. Whether you prefer low-growing groundcovers, pollinator-friendly flowers, or dramatic vertical accents, these plants will help enhance your garden’s beauty and biodiversity.
The pollinators will love you too as you provide early blooms for them to feast upon!
Happy Iris Campanion Planting!
