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.

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  • Iris pseudacorus Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Yellow Flag Iris | Iris pseudacorus

    The UK-native flag iris

    • Bursts of zesty yellow brighten any pond
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    3 options available

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  • Iris louisiana 'Black Gamecock' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris louisiana 'Black Gamecock'

    There are few plants as elegant

    • Huge iris flowers in deepest purple
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    4 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Variegated Flag Iris | Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata'

    RHS-award-winning yellow flag

    • Bold yellow blooms with subtle brown markings
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno' Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Iris pseudacorus 'Flore Pleno'

    A prolific favourite

    • Gorgeous yellow blooms on vertical stems
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    2 options available

    Trustpilot
  • Iris sibirica Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris sibirica

    Fabulous painterly flowers

    • Majestic purple hues on delicate blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers throughout May and June

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris versicolor Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris versicolor

    The most beautiful blue flag

    • Majestic purple, white and yellow blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or part shade
    • Flowers throughout May and June

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris ensata | Japanese Clematis Iris Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris ensata | Japanese Clematis Iris

    Outstanding colour and form

    • Punchy purple blooms and strappy leaves
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers throughout May and June

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris louisiana 'Ann Chowning' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris louisiana 'Ann Chowning'

    Amongst the utmost elegant

    • Burgundy blooms splashed with bright yellow
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris pseudacorus bastardii Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris pseudacorus bastardii

    A perfect blend of yellow tones

    • The perfect blend of yellow tones
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris versicolor 'Kermesina' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris versicolor 'Kermesina'

    Talk about elegant!

    • Striking purple and white blooms
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers through May and June

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris louisiana 'Her Highness' Pond Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Iris louisiana 'Her Highness'

    The queen of irises

    • Regal white and yellow flowers
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris Sibirica 'Peacock Pennywhistle' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

  • Iris Sibirica 'Peacock Butterfly Miss Apple' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

  • Iris Sibirica 'Peacock White Amber' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

  • Iris Sibirica 'Peacock Jerry Murphy' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

  • Iris sibirica 'Snow Queen' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris sibirica 'Snow Queen'

    Frost white and majestic

    • Brilliant white flowers with yellow centres
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers throughout May and June

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris pseudacorus 'Alba' Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Iris pseudacorus 'Alba'

    Wonderful creamy-white tones

    • Delicate iris blooms with elegant markings
    • Zone 2 - Pond edges
    • Grow in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from May to July

    Currently out of stock

  • Iris Sibirica 'Peacock Butterfly Solar Energy' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

  • Iris Ensata 'Variegata' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

  • Iris X Robusta 'Dark Aura' Perennial Bedding
    £15
    £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

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?

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

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 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.

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