Companion plantings are made up of flowers that grow in the same cultural environment creating a display of continuous color. Oriental poppy and tall bearded iris are two perennial plants when grown together lessens garden maintenance.
Mixing Oriental Poppy and Tall Bearded Iris
The Oriental poppy and tall bearded iris flourish in full sun and require well draining soil. Neither of these plants grows well in areas where water collects or in heavy clay soil that has not been amended with organic matter.
Both blooming in late spring to early summer, it is possible to extend the flowering season further by planting re-blooming types of bearded iris. Gardeners plant tall bearded iris near Oriental poppy for its contrast in foliage and flower shape. However, tall bearded iris also helps to hide bare spots left by the dying foliage of poppies after flowering. Tall bearded iris will bloom, with foliage that remains green, longer.
A healthy garden will depend on reliable plant care. While growing Oriental poppy and tall bearded iris in a garden, it is also important to recognize each plant’s unique characteristics.
Growing Oriental Poppy
The Papaver orientale, referred to as Oriental poppy, grows two to four feet high, in an upright oval shaped habit. The leaves of Oriental poppy are long with sharply lobed and toothed edges. Fine bristly hairs cover the leaves and stems; when cut they exude a white milky sap.
The flowers are large and showy, one on each long flower stalk. Running a finger along the flower stem, gardeners will feel coarse white hairs. The mound of stamens in the flower’s center is usually covered with black pollen that contrasts vividly with the orange, red, pink or purple petal colors.
The poppy is hardy in zones 3 – 7 and has no serious disease or insect issues. But, during the first winter after planting, it does benefit from a cover of mulch. For the benefit of bearded iris in the garden, remove the cover in early spring.
About Tall Bearded Iris
Tall bearded iris has stiffly upright foliage and flower stalks. The leaves are sword shaped in a gray green color. The flower stalks have one or more flowers per stem. Tall bearded iris plants grow two to four feet tall and have many cultivars.
By itself, bearded iris is not a low maintenance plant. A plant maintenance schedule helps remember fall cleanup after bearded iris finish flowering. This plant’s rhizomes are subject to rot and iris borer where good drainage and sunny conditions are insufficient.
Bearded iris is a perennial hardy in zones 3 – 10. There are many sizes of bearded iris, including the very short, however tall bearded iris works best for this combination.
Baby’s Breath With Iris and Poppies
A third companion plant to consider is baby’s breath. Gypsophila paniculata flowers June through August and has a light airy appearance. Like the Oriental poppy and tall bearded iris, baby’s breath is a perennial plant that grows best in full sun and requires well draining soil. Deadheading is required to keep this plant healthy.
Companion plants with similar growing conditions and overlapping bloom seasons is a good strategy when planning a garden. Oriental poppies, tall bearded iris and baby’s breath are three plants, when planted together, that make a colorful flower garden. For petite gardens, use dwarf varieties of these favorite perennials as they will be in scale with the size of the planting bed.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
Chris Eirschele - Chris writes on plants grown and gardens explored; she is a member of the Garden Writers Association.
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