35 Different Types of Iris Cultivars For Your Flowerbeds

Prized for their upright, fanning foliage and ruffly, trademark blooms, irises are easy to identify in the landscape once you know what you’re looking for. Although they vary in size, most flowers have three upright petals called standards, and three down-drooping petals called falls.

Some have beards while others have signals to attract pollinators, and most resemble some sort of face with an open mouth or an extended tongue.

Blooms are up to 8 inches wide on this beloved Japanese iris. Petals are large, loosely ruffled, and slightly recurved. Blooms have white bases that feather out into grape margins. Centers feature prominent yellow signals that attract bees and butterflies.

Each stalk typically produces three buds along its axis. Foliage is thin, strappy, and bright green. It looks attractive in the landscape long after flowering is complete. Plant Lion King near streams and ponds for a natural effect. It spreads easily and will need division every few years.

‘Pink Frost’

	botanical name Iris ensata ‘Pink Frost’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full to part sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Pink Frost’s blooms are thin and delicate but quite large in size. Petals are pale lavender with slightly darker veining. Throats are bright yellow, providing some intensity and attracting pollinators to the garden.

Foliage is thin but sturdy and has an ornamental grass-like presence in the landscape before and after bloom time. ‘Pink Frost’ can handle waterlogged soil during the growing season but not during dormancy. If you’re planting near a body of water, make sure these conditions are met.

‘Variegata’

	botanical name Iris ensata ‘Variegata’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full to part sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Also known as Silverband Iris, this cultivar is known for its variegated foliage and is commonly featured in midcentury and/or Japanese landscape design. Striped with cream and dark green, Variegata’s leaves have a silvery sheen and a graceful form.

The flowers of this iris are dark purple with subtle yellow signals in their centers. Standards are small and delicate, standing upright. Falls are large and ovate, without ruffles. Plant in a large group for dramatic interest. It spreads quickly by clump in optimal environments.

‘Queen’s Tiara’

	botanical name Iris ensata ‘Queen’s Tiara’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full to part sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

This beautiful Japanese iris has papery white falls that curl upward at the edges and a delicate purple veining all over. Its standards are small but striking in a solid violet hue. Petal centers have a bright yellow flash. Flowers have an overall orchid shape and typically reach 6 inches in width.

Foliage is thin and upright in a shade of dark mossy green. Do not cut leaves back until the first frost as they play an important role in storing energy for next year’s blooms. ‘Queen’s Tiara’ is well suited to cutting and will last a long time in a vase.

‘Flashing Koi’

	botanical name Iris ensata ‘Flashing Koi’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full to part sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Petals are flat with a crepe paper texture on this sturdy Japanese iris. Like the swish of a Koi fish tail in water. Their blooms have dark plum centers that feather out into white margins.

Like most water irises, this cultivar has large multicolor falls and small, solid standards with a yellow signal.

Flashing Koi can tolerate some standing water during the season, so it’s often selected for marshy or creek-side plantings. Just make sure it drains well in the winter to prevent root rot, a common iris foe.

‘Alpine Majesty’

	botanical name Iris ensata ‘Alpine Majesty’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full to part sun
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Large, double-white flowers that are the color of newly fallen snow, are the distinguishing feature of this lovely Japanese variety. Petals are thin and delicate, with some clear veining visible at close range. Throats are sunny yellow and streak the falls’ midribs brilliantly.

Alpine Majesty’s foliage is sage green and upright, with distinct midribs offering some unusual texture. Like all Japanese irises, this cultivar grows best in soil that is slightly acidic and moderately wet.

‘Acapulco Gold’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Acapulco Gold’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blooms are fancy and intensely ruffled on this beautiful German iris. Rich golden petals with subtle veining make ‘Acapulco Gold’ a standout in the landscape. Beards are roughly the same color yellow and draw pollinators to this cultivar’s falls.

Plant this perennial in full sun for the best results and the fullest blooms. Make sure soil drains well and has a neutral to alkaline content, and this variety will perennialize reliably. Be prepared to dig up clumps and divide every 2-3 years or crowding may become a problem.

‘Above the Clouds’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Above the Clouds’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Falls and standards are both large and significantly ruffled on this delightful German iris. Petals are sky-blue to lavender in color with a slightly darker veining that provides a nice contrast. Beards are a buttery yellow and stick out from flower centers like a fuzzy, sticky tongue.

Leaves are wide and swordlike. They are vertical, with a blue-green color that complements the pale blooms. Plant ‘Above the Clouds’ in a large drift for a natural effect in the landscape or control it in a container by the patio. Either way, it’s sure to delight.

‘Before the Storm’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Before the Storm’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blooms are such a dark, inky purple on this German iris cultivar that they resemble clouds in a stormy sky. Petals are loosely ruffled and have some violet-purple veining at the base of their falls. Beards are also black-purple and are difficult to spot unless you look closely.

Prized for its light, sweet scent and brooding presence in the garden, ‘Before the Storm’ has long, sturdy stems that max out at around 4 feet tall. Leaves are thick and sage-colored, enduring in the landscape like ornamental grass long after blooms have faded.

‘Better Than Butter’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Better Than Butter’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

This sweet-smelling German iris is prized for being a sequential bloomer, offering 8-9 buds per stem over the course of 4 weeks. Flowers have buttercream standards rimmed with yellow and lemon-hued falls with pale centers and beards. Petal edges are finely ruffled and have a dewy sheen.

Foliage is wide, strappy, and dark green, reaching heights of up to 4 feet. Plant ‘Better Than Butter’ in full sunshine and offer some relief from hot afternoon sun in warmer zones.

‘Beverly Sills’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Beverly Sills’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

A standout in the Tall Bearded category, this cultivar offers salmon pink petals with peachy beards and centers. The veining is subtle, so blooms read solid from a distance. Though its delicate ruffles give off a distinct cottage vibe, Beverly Sills can also be planted in a formal grouping to a nice effect.

Foliage is thin but sturdy and dark, waxy green in color. Give this cultivar loamy, slightly acidic soil that drains well, and it will multiply quickly. Plan to divide every 2-3 years. 

‘Champagne Elegance’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Champagne Elegance’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Flowers open in late spring and come again in late summer or early fall on this lovely reblooming German iris. Each stem produces 7-10 buds that will open at varying times to reveal large, fluffy blooms with seashell white standards and champagne to apricot-hued falls.

Petal bases are tinged with yellow to match this flower’s golden, fuzzy beards. Edges are loosely ruffled and delicate. ‘Champagne Elegance’ emits a soft, orange blossom fragrance, so plant this one where you’ll be in close proximity during peak season.

‘Dangerous Liaison’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Dangerous Liason’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Contrast is everything on this well-known German iris cultivar. Its standards are large and upright, with stiff ruffling and a soft lavender hue. Falls are a dark plum with violet edging and some veining near their centers.

Beards are substantial, amber-colored, and rimmed with plum. The foliage has a blueish tint and a matte finish, rising 2-3 feet around these unique blooms in a firm show of support.

‘Grand Canyon Sunset’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Grand Canyon Sunset’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Containing all the colors of a twilight-western sky, ‘Grand Canyon Sunset’ features blooms of plum, copper, tangerine, pink, and gold. Falls and standards are firm and of roughly equal size on this German iris. Beards are thick and orange.

Growing up to 3 feet tall, each stem splits into two branches and offers about 10 buds each per season. So, the display is full and bright.

‘Pink Attraction’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Pink Attraction’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blooms are blush-colored with subtle veining and sheared petal edges on this romantic German iris. Beards are peach to dark pink in hue and relatively modest in size.

As a reblooming cultivar in the Tall Bearded class, ‘Pink Attraction’ will dazzle you twice each season with an abundance of flowers. Expect a first flush in late spring to early summer and a second wave in late summer to early fall, depending on where you live.

‘Sugar Blues’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Sugar Blues’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

A reliable double bloomer, ‘Sugar Blues’ will thrill you with flowers the color of a summer sky not once but twice per season. Petals range from cornflower blue to violet, with standards typically being a bit lighter than falls. Centers are white with light blue veins and feature white beards tipped with yellow.

This cultivar is very cold hardy and will rebloom reliably in colder hardiness zones but may wilt if exposed to hot afternoon sun in warmer regions. It looks great on its own or paired with pink cottage favorites like roses and dahlias.

‘Titan’s Glory’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Titan’s Glory’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Flowers are rich, royal purple and average 6 inches tall on this show-stopping German cultivar. Standards are upright and tightly clustered above looser, open falls, but all share the same intense hue.

Stems have multiple bracts and produce up to 8 irises per season. ‘Titan’s Glory’ has a strong scent and holds up very well in a vase, so it’s a great addition to the cutting garden. Foliage is thick and swordlike.

‘Silverado’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Silverado’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Flowers are the palest lavender possible, with even lighter centers and beards. Petals are formally ruffled and relatively stiff. From a distance, blooms read silver to blueish white in the landscape.

‘Silverado’ is quick to perennialize if properly cared for and grows very tall, at up to 4 feet. Each stem produces around eight buds. Foliage is a rich, natural green, and leaves are textured with stripes of an even darker color.

‘Pink Parfait’

	botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Pink Parfait’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Petals are broad, and flowers are double-layered on this unusual Siberian iris cultivar. Coloring is lavender with mottled veining and solid edges. Texture has little ruffling and it’s difficult to distinguish between standards and falls unless you take a closer look. Centers are bright yellow with white outlines.

Foliage is slender and less rigid than German varieties but still upright and fan-shaped. It provides structure in the garden and provides a nice contrast to other flowering perennials when ‘Pink Parfait’ is done doing its thing for the year.

‘Sunfisher’

	botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Sunfisher’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Like a ruffled bouquet of sunshine in the early season landscape, ‘Sunfisher’ is a Siberian iris with a cheerful personality. Falls are a bright lemon yellow with subtle veining, and standards are slightly paler with strong-colored midribs.

Plant Sunfisher in full sunlight for the most vivid colors. Like most Siberian cultivars, this one will tolerate some shade but might produce fewer flowers.

‘Apollo’

	botanical name Iris hollandica ‘Apollo’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 6-9

A delicate flower with narrow white standards and smaller, incurved, buttercup-hued falls, this Dutch iris cultivar has a unique personality. Apollo’s tubular foliage is a sage green color, which complements its sunny 6-inch blooms nicely.

Plant ‘Apollo’ with low-spreading perennials such as phlox or catmint to create a colorful carpet at its feet. Bring some inside to display in a vase, as they have a pleasant scent and a pretty profile and last long in water.

‘Blue Magic’

	botanical name Iris hollandica ‘Blue Magic’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 6-9

A beauty en masse, ‘Blue Magic’ features a traditional Dutch iris flower shape and blooms in late spring to early summer for 2-3 weeks. Standards are long and flat with ruffled tips and are striped with two shades of periwinkle. Falls are heart-shaped and dark violet with a bright yellow flash toward the center.

Leaves are reed-like and thin, resembling blades of grass after flowering is complete. As a bulb iris, ‘Blue Magic’ requires good drainage to prevent rot disease. And it will not perennialize in zones with extreme winter temperatures.

‘Red Ember’

	botanical name Iris hollandica ‘Red Ember’
	plant type bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 6-9

A perfect border iris with a clumping habit and dense leaf structure, ‘Red Ember’ is a fan-shaped, Dutch cultivar with unique coloring. Standards are upright and grape-hued when they first open but will fade to a bluish red toward the end of their flowering period.

Falls are reddish-brown with yellow splotching toward their bases, and they will turn bronze just before blooming is complete. Like all bulb irises, ‘Red Ember’ needs loamy, well-drained soil, and full sun concentrated in the first half of the day.

‘Katharine Hodgkin’

	botanical name Iris histrioides ‘Katharine Hodgkin’
	plant type bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-6 inches
	hardiness zones 5-8

This Dwarf iris may be small in stature, but it packs a colorful punch in the landscape. Blooming in early spring, this cultivar features white flowers with dense China blue veining, bright yellow centers, and black signal spots. Petals are mostly flat and unruffled.

As a bulb iris, ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ will spread easily by bulblet and can take over a large area fairly quickly once established. Members of the dwarf class can handle a bit more shade than other irises, so they’re often encountered near the forest’s edge or under a thin tree canopy.

‘Scent Sational’

	botanical name Iris reticulata ‘Scent Sational’
	plant type bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-6 inches
	hardiness zones 5-8

Among the first irises to flower in late winter or early spring, ‘Scent Sational’ is a Dwarf species that maxes out at 5 inches tall. Its standards are a solid, royal purple with a slight ruffle, while its falls are large, spade-shaped, and down-drooping.

Lower petals are also royal purple, but they feature white centers, purple freckling, and a sunny yellow stripe down the midrib. Leaves are pointed and tubular, forming a nice support system beneath these beautiful blooms.

Plant ‘Scent Sational’ in drifts and allow them to naturalize or cluster them together in a pot by the patio. As the name suggests, they smell wonderful!

‘Clairette’

	botanical name Iris reticulata ‘Clairette’
	plant type bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-5 inches
	hardiness zones 5-8

One of the first irises to flower in very early spring, ‘Clairette’ is often mistaken for a crocus in the landscape. Short in stature at 4-5 inches tall, this pretty Dwarf cultivar features fringy, upright standards in china blue.

Falls are tongue-like with royal blue tips feathered by white centers. Blue freckles and a sunny yellow midrib stripe accessorize the bloom.

Foliage is a chartreuse green and resembles chives in texture and form. It keeps growing after flowering is complete, maxing out at 15 inches, and it will eventually die back on its own without needing a cutback.

‘Eye Catcher’

	botanical name Iris reticulata ‘Eye Catcher’
	plant type bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-4 inches
	hardiness zones 5-8

Flowers are large and showy on this Dwarf iris, which maintains a low profile but still shines brilliantly in the early spring garden. Standards are narrow and upright, with indigo midribs fanning out into white edges. Falls are creamy-white with yellow splotching and blue polka dots.

A sight for sore eyes after a long winter, ‘Eye Catcher’ pairs well with grape hyacinth and yellow or white daffodils. As long as winters are not too harsh, it will spread easily and demand little maintenance.

‘Black Gamecock’

	botanical name Iris louisiana ‘Black Gamecock’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 6-10

A Louisiana group iris with a natural, lowlands profile, ‘Black Gamecock’ sends up multitudes of 5-inch blooms in early to mid-summer. Standards are small, with wine-colored midribs and burgundy perimeters.

Falls are spade-shaped with a slight ruffle and a velvety purple coloring that reads black in low light. A bright yellow stripe on their midribs draws and provides a lovely contrast.

Leaves are lime green and swordlike, rising up around blooms in a supportive role. Like all Louisiana irises, ‘Black Gamecock’ can handle boggy conditions and will multiply easily with other Louisiana varieties to create new and interesting iris hybrids in the wild.

‘Ann Chowning’

	botanical name Iris louisiana ‘Ann Chowning’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 6-10

With bold, 6-inch blooms of crimson red, subtle veining, and bright golden signals, ‘Ann Chowning’ is a standout in a waterside setting. Maxing out at 3 feet tall, this cultivar holds its own in the landscape, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds in droves. 

Ann tolerates a bit of shade but needs at least 5 hours of sun in order to thrive and may benefit from a little afternoon relief in hotter zones. Leaves are stiff and limey, contrasting beautifully with this plant’s red flowers.

‘Acadian Miss’

	botanical name Iris louisiana ‘Acadian Miss’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 6-10

Elegant ruffled flowers are 6 inches wide on this water-loving Louisiana iris. Petals have a white crepe paper color and texture with lemony midribs and centers. Foliage is dark green and sword-like. It often exceeds the height of its flowers and will stay green for most of the year in warmer climates. 

Rhizomes are thick and spread aggressively in wet settings. Be prepared to divide and replant every two years if you’d like to grow Acadian Miss in a controlled landscape.

‘Chasing Rainbows’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Chasing Rainbows’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Elaborately ruffled standards have grape-colored midribs and peachy perimeters on this Tall Bearded iris. Falls are predominantly grape but rimmed with peach, and beards are a thick, golden yellow.

Reaching heights of up to 3 feet, this vigorous bloomer emanates from foliage that is rigid and dark green. ‘Chasing Rainbows’ has a versatile personality and is well-suited to both city and rural plantings. Bring some inside to enjoy their light, clean scent.

‘Diamond Blush’

	botanical name Iris germanica ‘Diamond Blush’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

This Tall Bearded iris is coveted for its ability to bloom twice during the season, once in spring and again in fall. Blooms feature curly, upright, apricot standards and slightly looser, more open falls that are tipped with a romantic, blush-pink hue. Beards and veining are both tangerine-orange.

Its fragrance is spicy, and the foliage is on the sage to silver side of green. Plant ‘Diamond Blush’ where it will receive full sun, and its beauty can be enjoyed twice!

‘Zigzag’

	botanical name Iris brevicaulis ‘Zigzag’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8 inches to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4-8

This Species group iris is native to the swamps and wet meadows of North America and gets its name from the zig-zag pattern of its flower stems.

Each bloom features arching violet standards and richer-hued falls with yellow signals. Bright green sepals cradle the blooms, adding another layer of color.

Foliage is sometimes taller than flower stems, giving ‘Zigzag’ a unique personality. While this cultivar originates from wild, wet regions, it can grow quite well in a more controlled landscape setting if properly cared for.

‘Milky Iris’

	botanical name Iris lactea ‘Milky Iris’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6 inches to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

With a rounded habit and spiky, arching foliage, ‘Milky Iris’ delivers an abundance of small violet blooms with pale lavender centers and veining. Native to the hills of Central Asia, this cultivar will thrive in a mostly sunny location with well-draining soil.

Flowers are dainty at just 2-3 inches long, and you can expect between 2 and 4 per stem. Spreading in a circular habit by clump, this plant will need regular division if it is to flower fully.

‘Magic Opal’

	botanical name Iris ensata ‘Magic Opal’
	plant type rhizome, perennial
	sun requirements Full to part sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Blooms are 8 inches wide and have a drooping habit on this graceful Japanese iris. Standards are small and thin with pale lavender midribs and darker perimeters. Falls are also delicate in a shade of lavender but feature a splash of lemon yellow surrounded by dark purple veins.

This cultivar has an erect habit with thin, pale green foliage. Prominent leaf midribs provide texture and give the garden vertical interest before and after ‘Magic Opal’ blooms in midsummer.