Collection: Water Irises
Water Iris are semi-aquatic bog plants that grow in shallow water, damp soil or even in large plant pots or containers with nutritious compost and regular watering. Varieties such as Iris pseudacorus, or Yellow Flag, prefer to have their roots and crown submerged underwater however many varieties, like the Siberian Iris are perfectly happy in wet clay and damp soil. Laevigata can be vivacious so planting baskets and aquatic soil are advised to control growth and create a strong base for the anchoring plants.
Need help picking?-
Regular price From £23Regular price Sale price From £23
Yellow Flag Iris | Iris pseudacorus
The UK native flag iris
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Grow in shallow water, beds or borders
4 options available
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris louisiana 'Black Gamecock'
Giant flowers in deepest purple
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Moisture loving plant perfect for pond margins
4 options available
-
Regular price From £30Regular price Sale price From £30
Variegated Flag Iris | Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata'
RHS award winning yellow flag
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Stunning in borders, beds, ponds and bog gardens
3 options available
-
Regular price From £30Regular price Sale price From £30
Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno'
A prolific favourite
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Ideal for shallow pond edges or planting shelves
3 options available
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris sibirica
The perfect shade of blue
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Prefers moist to boggy soil - ideal for pond borders and bog gardens
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris versicolor
The most beautiful blue flag
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Plant at pond edges or in beds and borders
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris ensata | Japanese Clematis Iris
Outstanding colour and form
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Loves pond edges, bog gardens and borders
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris louisiana 'Ann Chowning'
Cherry red flowering award winner
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Ideal for shallow pond edges or planting shelves
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris pseudacorus bastardii
The perfect blend of yellow tones
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Plant at pond edges or in beds and borders
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris versicolor 'Kermesina'
The richest claret purple blooms
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Perfect for ponds, lakes and bog gardens
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £30Regular price Sale price From £30
Iris louisiana 'Her Highness'
The queen of irises
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Ideal for shallow pond edges or planting shelves
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris sibirica 'Peacock Pennywhistle'
A picture perfect iris
- Versatile planting option for pond edges or borders
- Tasteful lavender flowers atop swaying stems
- Adds great visual interest to any garden
- Attracts bees
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris sibirica 'Peacock Butterfly Miss Apple'
Incredible depth of colour
- Pale pink and deep magenta flowers during summer
- Ideal for pond borders and bog gardens
- Tall stems provide the perfect flower pedestal
- A great choice for pollinator gardens
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris sibirica 'Peacock White Amber'
Understated, elegant buttery blooms
- Spiky blades of green foliage
- Wonderful cream and yellow flowers during summer
- Grows to almost one metre in height
- Fantastic for cut flowers
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris sibirica 'Peacock Jerry Murphy'
Apricot and bronze hues to lighten your pond edge
- Dramatic blades of dark green foliage
- Brilliant bronze blooms
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- A fantastic marginal plant for the pond edge
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris sibirica 'Snow Queen'
Frost white and majestic
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers throughout May and June
- Prefers moist to boggy soil - ideal for pond borders and bog gardens
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price From £15Regular price Sale price From £15
Iris pseudacorus 'Alba'
Elegant creamy white tones
- Zone 2 - Pond Edges
- Grow in full sun or partial shade
- Flowers from May to July
- Perfect for medium and large ponds
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris sibirica 'Peacock Butterfly Solar Energy'
Radiant sunshine in iris form
- Golden yellow flowers from May to June
- Striking sword shaped, green leaves
- A great choice for vertical effect
- Brightens the border of any pond
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris x robusta 'Dark Aura'
RHS award winning iris
- Captivating purple and green foliage
- Flowers between May and July
- Great for pollinators
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock
-
Regular price £15Regular price Sale price £15
Iris ensata 'Variegata'
Luxuriant purple Japanese water iris
- Rich purple flowers with a golden eye
- Blooms from June to July
- Dramatic pond plant
- RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
Currently out of stock

Enfield
Meet Caroline
A deep dive into sustainable gardening
Nestled amongst wildlife meadows and resident ducks, Caroline’s award winning pond plant nursery in Enfield has been making a splash since 1965, when they invented the (recycled, obvs) aquatic basket. Sixty years and multiple RHS gold medals later, they’re still surprising us with new varieties every year!
Need help picking?

Which water iris?
Irises are among the most beautiful pond plants and come in a range of shapes, sizes and hues. Certain irises, like yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) and blue flag iris (Iris versicolor), can be grown with their base submerged in water, making them perfect for the edge of a pond. Other irises, such as Siberian flag iris (Iris sibirica) and Japanese water iris (Iris ensata), grow better in moist, boggy soil (but not submerged). Another thing to consider is the size of your iris; most irises grow to a height of between 75 and 150cm, though there are also shorter, more compact varieties (like the bulbous cultivar, Iris reticulata) that grow to just 20cm or so in height.

Planting schemes and partners
Irises are a must for any pond or bog gardens. Their love for damp soil and robust hardiness (with most varieties ranked either H6 or H7 on the RHS’s hardiness rating system) makes them a brilliant option for many British gardens. Recommended companion plants for irises include those that can withstand moisture, pickerel weeds, lobelias, heucheras and ferns. You can also consider creating a Japanese-style garden with your iris plants, pairing them with horsetails, acers, astilbes and hostas.

Water iris care tips
Water irises require full sun or partial shade to thrive. For those irises planted in the margins of the pond, use aquatic baskets to help anchor the plants and to make them easier to divide. Plant around half a metre apart to allow room for spreading and cut stalks down to ground level in late November. Plant your iris(es) between March and November, preferably late March to April. Alongside being nice and hardy, water irises don’t tend to be impacted by pests or diseases when planted in appropriate conditions. Lovely stuff.
Happy plants make happy customers

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.
Monica Spence
| 24 May

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!
Jacqueline Burgess
| 2 Jun

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.
Judy Lane
| 23 Oct

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.
Martyn Hill
| 5 Jul

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.
John-Paul
| 22 May

Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.
Gavin Wilcock
| 8 Nov
Fighting plastic waste
Delivering fresh from the nursery
Supporting UK growers