Knowledgebase
Bearded iris and local wildlife #816869
Asked November 23, 2022, 5:28 PM EST
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving,
Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Yard and Garden.
I will attach a link from the website that discusses fragrant flowers for your garden. This includes bearded iris: https://extension.umn.edu/news/fragrant-flowers-your-cutting-garden
I will also include a link that discusses planting for pollinators. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/flowers-pollinators
To my knowledge, bearded iris do not provide benefits to birds and insects. Their scent may draw pollinators for the nectar, if any in the flowers. The leaves would not provide any type of habitat for birds or pollinators.
Please review the above link to plant vegetation that will benefit pollinators.
Good luck!