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Key characteristics

Family: Iridaceae
Height: 2.5 ft to 3 ft
Width: 1.5 ft to 2 ft
Flower color: Deep mauve-pink standards and falls with orange red beards and darker veining
Foliage color: Blue green sword shaped leaves forming an upright fan shaped clump
Bloom time: Late spring
Light: Full sun
Water: Low to moderate
Maintenance: Low; remove spent flower stalks and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor
Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 9
Wildlife: Bees and pollinators attracted to nectar and pollen rich flowers

Perennials

Iris 'Code Red'

Code Red Iris

Iris 'Code Red' produces richly colored flowers with deep mauve-pink standards and falls, with glowing orange-red beards, blooming in late spring and bringing dramatic color to the garden. Upright, sword-like leaves are blue-green and provide strong vertical structure throughout the growing season. The flowers rise above the foliage on sturdy stems, with gently ruffled petals and saturated tones that create depth and texture during bloom.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low to moderate

Bloom time

Late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Sedums · Peonies · Coneflowers · Salvias · Shasta daisies · Asters

Design tip

Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. In full sun it holds its shape best, and grouping several together keeps the color strong enough to be seen from across the garden.