• Irises are drought tolerant perennials.IRIS image by JP65 from Fotolia.com
  
  Companion planting is the practice of combining plants that complement, contrast and support the main focus of your garden. Irises are drought-tolerant, perennial plants that thrive in a position with full sun, and deep soil with good drainage. A bed of irises is an ideal place to plant herbs that complement the simple upright growth structure and bold flowers of the iris. Herbs that are drought tolerant and enjoy full sun, provide the perfect companions in the iris bed.
  
  

Rosemary

• Rosemary has needle shaped leaves and delicate purple flowers.rosemary flowers image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
  
  Rosemary has small, silver-green, needle-like leaves and tiny, purple, white, or blue flowers. A stand of rosemary makes an attractive back drop for the tall (27 inch) bearded iris. The small silver leaves of the rosemary contrast with the bright green, sword-shaped leaves and bold, purple flowers of the iris. Rosemary thrives in full sun and prefers dry soil to wet conditions. Rosemary is a common, perennial, culinary herb.
  
  

Sage

• Sage has silver leaves that contrast well with the bright green foliage of irises.Sage at Night image by Gary Chorpenning from Fotolia.com
  
  Sage is a drought-tolerant herb that enjoys the same full-sun conditions as iris bulbs. There are a variety of sage plants, also called salvia, that have culinary uses. Pineapple sage (S. elegans) has small scarlet flowers that provide bright contrast against purple iris flowers. Sage plants are perennials with gray or silver leaves and woody stems. Plant sage in the foreground at the base of tall iris varieties, like the tall bearded iris.
  
  

Lavender

• Lavender is drought tolerant and thrives in full sun.lavender image by Alistair Dick from Fotolia.com
  
  Fragrant, drought-tolerant lavender, has long, elegant stems and, narrow, silver-gray leaves. Plant a border of lavender around the iris bed or scatter clumps between the bulbs. Lavender varieties have purple, lavender, pale blue, or white flowers. Lavender plants grow between 12 and 18 inches; plant a row of lavender as a back drop for smaller iris species like the the standard dwarf, which grows 8 inches tall.
  
  

Thyme

• Thyme is a low growing herb with delicate leaves and flowers.Abeille image by claudeos30d from Fotolia.com
  
  Thyme is a low-growing perennial herb that stands just 6 to 10 inches tall. There are more than 300 ornamental and culinary species of thyme, with both creeping and upright varieties. Plant thyme as a ground cover in the iris bed or as a backdrop for dwarf iris varieties. Thyme thrives in full sun and dry soil conditions.