This early blooming perennial is a lovely addition to your garden.
While not large by iris standards, the flowers are colorful and have a graceful shape.
Division every few years keeps the plants healthy.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
All species in the Iris genus are considered slightly toxic to pets and to humans.
However, if it’s located in too much shade, the plant will produce fewer flowers.
Soil
Ideally, Siberian iris should have consistently moist soil but should not sit in standing water.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Good drainage is essential because dense, poorly drained soil can result in root rot.
Siberian iris prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.5 to 7.0).
In alkaline soils, a yearly feeding with an acidifying fertilizer might produce more blooms.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Water
Because the Siberian iris is susceptible to crown rot, do not intentionally saturate its soil.
Light, regular watering is preferable.
Later in the summer, it can get by with an every-other-week watering schedule.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Siberian iris tolerate dry and humid atmospheric conditions equally, provided soil moisture is maintained at optimal levels.
If you wish, an software of compost can serve as the early spring feeding.
Where soils are too alkaline, a yearly feeding with an acidifying fertilizer might be helpful.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Is This the Right Plant for You?
Thus, you will sometimes find these plants labeled simply by cultivar name, such asIris’Caesar’s Brother'.
There can also be some variation in height and in hardiness range.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Once the bloom period ends, you should remove any stalks with wilted or dead flowers.
Proper pruning will also keep insects at bay and ensure that all parts of the plant are thriving.
Divide Siberian iris when the center of the crown starts to feel woody rather than pliant.
Thus, seed propagation is not recommended.
You should expect to water and feed a bit more regularly when growing them in pots.
Begin by digging holes about 3 to 5 inches deep and 8 to 12 inches apart.
Gently place each plant in the soil, with the roots fanned and pointing downwards.
To avoid repotting, plant Siberian iris in a large enough container as the plant grows slim and tall.
Watering should be held back in the winter months to reduce the likelihood of root rot.
The plant is largely free of problems with borer worms, though it can occasionally be damaged by slugs.
Siberian iris is much more resistant to the bacterial rot that is so often problematic with bearded iris.
The bloom period is relatively swift, lasting no more than a week or two.
You might need to stake the flower stalks for plants growing in partial shade.
The grassy clumps can begin to look unkempt in late summer.
This does not seem to compromise flowering for the following spring.
Siberian iris is extremely versatile in the garden.
It blends well with other perennials in border gardens, offering early color and interesting foliage texture.
A better choice for warm climates is to try fringed iris(I. japonica).
Iris Is Toxic To Pets.Pet Poison Helpline, 4 Oct. 2011.
Growing Siberian Irises in the Home Garden.Iastate.edu.
Iris Caesars Brother - Plant Finder.
North Carolina Plant Toolbox.
