Iris sibirica: Siberian Iris with Grass-Like Foliage and Colorful Flowers

Iris sibirica (Siberian iris) has attractive grass-like leaves to 18 inches long topped by showy flowers in a wide range of colors. Flowers unfurl in May and bloom well into June. Cultivars include 'Caesar's Brother' (rich purple), 'Eric the Red' (bright violet-pink), and 'Chilled Wine' (garnet suffused with blue).

Care

Thrives in acidic, heavy, clay soils, and loves wet feet. Low maintenance, requiring only feeding and division every few years. Ideal for ponds, streams, or boggy areas. In beds, require a few extra waterings per season.

Propagation

Lift and divide clumps, or separate bulb offsets, and plant immediately in early autumn.

Problems

Iris borer, verbena bud moth, whiteflies, iris weevil, thrips, slugs and snails, aphids, and nematodes. Bacterial leaf blight and soft rot, crown rot, rhizome rot, leaf spot, rust, viruses, and scorch.

Overview

• Height: 1–3 ft.
• Growth Habit: Clumps
• Growth Pace: Slow Grower
• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Moisture: Medium to Wet
• Maintenance: Moderate
• Characteristics: Showy Flowers
• Bloom Time: Early Summer, Late Spring, Spring, Summer
• Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple
• Uses: Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Waterside
• Style: Water Garden
• Seasonal Interest: Summer Interest
• Type: Perennials