Iris confusa
Chengdu

If you're looking for iris chinese varieties that thrive in shaded spots, iris confusa ‘Chengdu’—also known as bamboo iris or Chinese iris—is a standout choice for an easy, ornamental groundcover. This evergreen perennial forms dense clumps of strappy, rich green leaves arranged in elegant fans, making it ideal for that narrow, shaded strip along a house or fence.

In spring, iris confusa ‘Chengdu’ produces multi-branched stems topped with up to 75 delicate, vanilla-scented blooms. Each flower, about 2½ inches across, shows intricate lavender markings that resemble floating orchids, adding a tropical feel to the garden. It’s not fussy about soil and tolerates both wetter and drier conditions, spreading gently by rhizomes to fill space (and can be easily controlled if needed). It also works well in containers of 10 gallons or larger, and a yearly dose of compost plus some snail bait helps maintain its best appearance. Grows 2–3 feet tall and is hardy to about 20°F.

If you want to buy iris for a shaded garden that combines structure, color, and low maintenance, this is a strong option to consider.

Shipping Information

Flat Rate Plant Shipping (Nice and Simple!)

• Order 4 or 6 qualifying plants and enjoy a flat shipping rate of $14.99 to eligible states.
• Going bigger? Boxes with 8 or 12 qualifying plants ship for $19.99.
• Please note: this option isn’t available for PO Boxes.
• Shipping is limited to the contiguous 48 states.
• Some plants—especially the fussy or oversized ones—may not qualify due to size, season, or special handling needs.
• Occasionally, certain orders may need roomier packaging or a little extra care in transit.

For your convenience, Annie's plants ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box. See Shipping Information below for additional details regarding states necessitating expedited shipping and other shipping policies.

We guarantee that the plants we sell are healthy and viable at the time they leave our care.

If a plant arrives in substandard condition, please take clear photographs and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. To ensure eligibility under this guarantee, we strongly encourage you to open and unpack your shipment immediately upon delivery and inspect the plants thoroughly.

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$14.99 flat rate for up to 6 plants is for standard FedEx/UPS Ground shipping to eligible states only. $19.99 for up to 12 plants. Plants being shipped to the following states are sent via Express Mail to help ensure they arrive quickly and healthy. 

(AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV)
(list of states subject to change seasonally due to extreme heat or cold conditions)

We cannot ship Annie's Annuals plants to P.O. boxes or outside the continental U.S.

Individual plants are shipped in 4" pots and we ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box.

For more details, read our full Ordering and Shipping Policies

Get your plants off to a strong start with our care guide.

Download the Plant Care Guide (PDF)