Earlier this year, in another thread, I said that I was on the fence about Louisiana irises. I'm happy to say that they bloomed well enough their second June in my garden that I want to keep going, hopefully with improvements to my method of cultivation.

In brief, I dug up my six congested clumps of LAs, expanded the area for them, and kept two rhizomes each of four varieties, giving each variety a total of six square feet. I would like to plant something else in this long bed, to give it more interest in the off-season, which is most of the year, but I don't want whatever I put there to compete with the irises. Something that loves moist soil, has a loose, rambling habit and shallow roots would fit the bill very nicely. Annual or perennial is fine.

Can you think of any plants that would be good companions for LAs?


LAs make quite graceful clumps in bloom, especially when there's a breeze. A fleeting show for sure, but how charming!


Mac's Blue Heaven. Best clump effect. Glows in late afternoon light. I loved going out after work to view this one.


Red Velvet Elvis. Most striking individual blooms.

I have Red Velvet Elvis, too. This was its third year and it had formed a large clump. It was loaded witth simply spectacular bloom for relatively a long time because it has triple sockets. Each bloom was about 6" across this year! So much bigger than siberians. And the LAs have a much broader, brighter color palette, too. People should try them more.

This August I am awaiting an order of another LA iris that is supposed to be a gorgeous dark velvety purple, with gold bars, called Henry Rowlan. I'll be siting it next to Red Velvet Elvis.

Louisiana iris love a moist spot, so if you have such a spot your Loisiana iris will thrive. I have such an area because of overflow from the neghbor's sump pump. I hate the overflow, but the LA iris simply love it. Astilbe, goatsbeard and spirea also love moist spots. I like the dark red Fanal astilbe, because I think the bloom retains its color longer than other astilbes.

Our property is dry in the summer, so no LAs for me. They are beautiful.

I've heard they can tolerate dryness, too. They tend to be adabtable.

DaisyDo said:I've heard they can tolerate dryness, too. They tend to be adabtable.

I think they will survive, but the foliage will look awful! In a natural planting where they can blend in with other informal plants, ordinary garden soil without too much extra water is probably okay. I want to feature them as nice plants and not just nice blooms, so lots of watering for me!

They do tolerate dryness to a point, but the foliage looks horrible then. I cut mine down in the summer,when they are dormant, since in the south they come out of dormancy in the fall and grow the entire winter.

Siberian iris foliage stays upright and pretty all summer and fall. I have been mulling over the possibility of surrounding my LA iris patch with a border of siberians to hide the maturing LA foliage.

Wish my Sib foliage stayed upright. It does try to but....

DaisyDo said:
This August I am awaiting an order of another LA iris that is supposed to be a gorgeous dark velvety purple, with gold bars, called Henry Rowlan. I'll be siting it next to Red Velvet Elvis.

I've lusted after this plant. I bet Henry will be spectacular next to Elvis!

Lestv said:Wish my Sib foliage stayed upright. It does try to but....

Probanlly because you are significantly south of me. I think the key word here is "siberian"

Tienito, I know of only one supplier for Henry Rowlan, and she said the supply on Henry is very limited. So, I'll let you know who it is after I take delivery. I sure hope she still has it once she gets to my turn in line.if not this year, then Elvis will have to stay lonesome until next year. Keeping my fingers crossed.