1 / 3

Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded Iris (TB), Reverse Bicolor
Height: 36 inches
Width: 1 to 1 1/2 feet
Flower color: Yellow-green, violet-purple and golden yellow
Foliage color: Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
Bloom time: Midseason
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate, drought tolerant once established
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8

Irises

Iris 'Idle Rich'

Idle Rich Iris

Iris 'Idle Rich' is a tall bearded iris with broad, heavily ruffled flowers that bloom in midseason. The standards are an unusual muted yellow-green with a smoky violet-purple wash concentrated through their centers, creating a darker crown above the flower. The falls are a clearer golden yellow with a small paler area beneath the beards. Golden-yellow beards add another layer of warmth at the center.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate, drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Midseason

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Formal Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Dwarf ninebark · Dwarf juniper · Purple catmint · Cream yarrow · Blue flax · Silver sage · Creeping stonecrop

Design tip

Let 'Idle Rich' act as a bridge between contrasting sections of the garden. Its violet-centered standards connect naturally with purple flowers, while the yellow falls carry the eye toward gold foliage and warmer blooms, creating a smoother transition between the two.