A Pretty Plant Combination for Moist Soils: Water Iris, Spurge and Hosta

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Spring Borders, Summer Borders

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Spring Borders, Summer Borders, Water Iris, Iris Laevigata, Hosta, Euphorbia Fireglow, Euphorbia griffithii Fireglow, Hosta Hadspen Blue, Hosta sieboldana, Plant combinations for wet soil

Brighten a moist area of your garden with this pretty plant combination pairing the fiery blossoms of Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ (Spurge) with the bluish-purple vertical blossoms of Water Irises (Iris laevigata) and the delightfully fragrant Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ (Plantain Lily).

An easy and remarkable long-lasting summer border to enjoy.

Garden Information

Hardiness	5 - 9
Heat Zones	2 - 9
Climate Zones	1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Clay, Loam
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Clay Soil
Attracts	Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage

Plants In This Garden

Iris laevigata (Water Iris)

The most aquatic of all irises, Iris laevigata, commonly known as Water Iris, is a rhizomatous perennial with striking three petalled, rich royal blue flowers, 3-4 in. wide (8-10 cm), adorned with broad pendant falls exhibiting a white central ridge and slightly narrower, upright standards. On display from late spring to early summer, this Iris flowers in abundance and may repeat bloom.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Plant type	Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Clay, Loam
Soil Ph	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained

Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow' (Spurge)

Regarded as one of the easiest and most reliable spurges, Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial noted for its showy orange-red flowers and red-tinged leaves. Emerging rich bronzy-red in spring, the foliage of narrow, lance-shaped leaves turns mid-green in summer before turning crimson red in the fall.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Soil Type	Clay, Loam
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained

Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' (Plantain Lily)

Noted for its superb leaf color, Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ is a large Hosta with heart-shaped, puckered, thick, blue-gray leaves, 13 in. long (32 cm). Forming a dense mound that crowds out garden weeds, the pretty foliage is topped in late spring to midsummer with racemes of lilac-tinged white, bell-shaped flowers rising on scapes 27 in. long (67 cm). Slow-growing, this perennial Hosta enjoys excellent pest resistance and is usually spared by slugs.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Soil Type	Clay, Loam
Soil Ph	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained

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Euphorbia (Spurge) Hosta

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hosta (Tardiana Group) ‘Hadspen Blue’ (Plantain Lily)

Iris laevigata ‘Variegata’ (Water Iris)

©Clive Nichols

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.