Spectacular blooms, elegant shapes, a kaleidoscope of colors, and a subtle bittersweet fragrance with a hint of citrus — that’s what irises are all about…
The beginning of iris blooming season is probably my favorite time in the garden. In fact, the end of May and beginning of June is the highlight of the entire season — when the foliage of perennials thickens, and the first flower buds are forming, ready to burst into color at any moment. Among them, the brightest and most refined are the elegant irises.
My garden irises are a continuation of a collection my mother started. I’ve only added a few varieties myself, mostly observing how the plants she planted years ago have evolved or faded away. My main job has been to divide and replant them, remove the old shriveled rhizomes that no longer bloom, and pull out stubborn dandelion roots that manage to wedge themselves among the densely packed iris roots.
Many would consider this work too demanding and give up on growing irises altogether.
I used to think the same. Irises seemed fussy and short-lived in bloom — not worth the trouble. I also wasn’t a fan of their foliage after flowering. But that impression turned out to be misleading. Now I know how to move the fading flower stalks of the bearded or Iris germanica to the background and hide them among the next wave of perennials.
Siberian Iris — My Garden Favorite
The foliage of my absolute favorite, Iris sibirica (Siberian iris), is beautiful on its own — long, narrow, and gracefully arching, it remains decorative in the flower bed all the way through autumn. Siberian iris is an incredibly low-maintenance plant — it can thrive for years without being divided. In my garden, it’s been growing for over ten years.
Last year, I brought a few rhizomes from my Siberian garden and planted them in my friend’s garden in Luxembourg. And now, they are already blooming — they adapted quickly and flowered the very next year.
There’s no secret — the plant is naturally resilient and strong. It thrives in both sun and shade, is drought-tolerant, but prefers moist soil. It can grow near ponds or in low-lying damp areas. Iris sibirica makes a wonderful companion to other perennials and also works beautifully as a standalone focal plant.
Bearded Iris — A Little Effort for a Stunning Reward
Bearded irises (Iris germanica) do require a bit more attention, but they reward you with unmatched, breathtaking blooms.
To recognize a bearded iris, look for the fuzzy “beard” on the petal that droops downward. These irises often feature striking color contrasts in their petals.
Planting them correctly is crucial. Iris germanica has large rhizomes that must not be buried — they should be at ground level and facing south to absorb as much sun as possible. The more sun the rhizome receives, the more abundant the bloom next year. This is especially important in cooler climates. In warmer regions, I’ve seen rhizomes planted deeper — and they still bloom well thanks to the heat.
Bearded irises should be divided every 3–4 years, as old rhizomes can inhibit the growth of new ones, reducing or even stopping flowering altogether. The best time to divide and transplant is in the second half of summer, after blooming. The planting spot should be sunny, with rich, well-drained soil.
Companion Planting for Irises
I like to plant bearded irises in the middle of the flower bed, surrounded by other perennials. Their tall flower stalks remain visible, while the base of the plant is hidden from view — only the sun sees it.
Some companion plants include:
Aquilegia (columbine) — also known for its contrasting flower colors
Clematis integrifolia — a bush-type clematis
Salvia nemorosa (woodland sage)
Geranium pratense (meadow cranesbill)
Roses and peonies — for structure and lush blooms
Another charming option is to grow irises in containers and use them to decorate the garden terrace during blooming season and after just plant them out into the garden.
All photos were taken in my garden in Siberia.
Lovely