Transform Your Yard With An Easy-To-Grow Ground Cover That Hummingbirds Love

Are you looking for a stunning and easy-to-grow ground cover that will transform those shady areas in your yard? If you love flowering bulbs like irises, you're going to adore this outstanding native ground cover commonly known as crested iris (Iris cristata). It's a low-growing species that only reaches a height of up to 9 inches and has those pretty iris blooms that you would be familiar with, except somewhat smaller. Better still, this versatile plant is one of several shade plants that attract hummingbirds and pollinators to your yard.

Crested iris spreads through underground rhizomes, which makes it an excellent ground cover plant because it will continue to multiply in the areas it's growing to form a nice dense carpet. Ideally, you'll want to plant this in part shade because it likes a nice moist environment to thrive. If grown in full sun, it will need plenty of extra moisture, while in shaded spots, it doesn't mind being left to survive on rainfall alone. Crested iris grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, and is very easy to grow, once planted. Apart from the species, there are quite a few hybrids with varied bloom colors, making this one of many beautiful varieties of white iris flowers you can add to your garden.

Apart from needing very little attention, crested iris is one of those plants that will grow happily in loamy soils, which are often found in the shady parts of the garden. There's no need to add any additional organic matter because, if the soil is too rich, you'll get plenty of foliage but few, if any, flowers. This essentially means that this little beauty doesn't need regular fertilizing either. The attractive blooms that appear in spring are normally purple or blue, with distinctive iris markings in white and yellow with a deeper purple outline. 

These flowers are filled with nectar. This is why this is another fast-growing ground cover that'll attract hummingbirds and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, so that they can get some of that delicious nectar. Crested iris is the perfect ground cover for woodland areas or even shady rock gardens. It will transform those areas with its bright, sword-shaped green leaves and delicate but showy blooms. It's important to note that this plant is toxic to humans and animals, and the sap can cause contact dermatitis, so remember to wear gloves when working with it. The only maintenance required is to divide the clumps every three to four years, after the plants have finished flowering, so they don't become overcrowded and lose their vigor.