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Iris sibirica

Siberian iris

Central Europe east through Ukraine, western Russia, and central Asia; moist meadows, stream banks, and open woodland clearings

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Iris sibirica is Siberian iris, a clumping deciduous perennial growing 24-40 inches (60-100 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Beardless flowers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in blue-violet to violet-purple with white and yellow signal marks on the falls in May-June (4 weeks). Cultivars also in white, yellow, pink, and wine-red. Medium green narrow erect grass-like foliage 18-30 inches (45-75 cm). In Iridaceae spp.. Sibirica = from Siberia. Beardless (no fuzzy beard on falls). Blooms 2-3 weeks after tall bearded iris. Native to central Europe through central Asia in moist meadows. The established clump develops a dense fibrous root mass that becomes very difficult to divide after 5+ years. This root-mass density requiring timely division (every 3-4 years) is the primary maintenance consideration. Tolerates consistently moist clay soil. Decorative three-chambered seed pods persist through fall and winter. Not drought-tolerant — leaf tip burn in dry conditions. Contains irisin glycosides — toxic to cats and dogs. Deer-resistant. Zones 3-9. Part sun to full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to central Europe east through Ukraine, western Russia, and central Asia. Found in moist meadows, stream banks, and open woodland clearings.

Suggested Uses

Grown in moist borders, rain gardens, pond margins, and meadow plantings, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm). Vertical foliage structure. Decorative seed pods. Tolerates moist clay. Toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Zones 3-9.

How to Identify

Identified by beardless iris flowers (no fuzzy beard on falls) with white-yellow signal marks above narrow erect grass-like foliage on a clumping perennial. Distinguished from tall bearded iris (wider sword-shaped foliage, fuzzy beard on falls) and from I. ensata (Japanese iris — larger flatter flowers, requires acidic waterlogged conditions). In Iridaceae spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'4"

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Late spring to early summer (May-June). Beardless flowers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in blue-violet with white-yellow fall signals. 4 weeks. Blooms 2-3 weeks after tall bearded iris. Bee-visited. Decorative seed pods follow.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Blue-violet to violet-purple (species type); cultivars also in white, yellow, pink, and wine-red; beardless, 3-4 inches (7-10 cm), with falls (drooping petals) showing white and yellow signal marks; standards (upright petals) held above

Foliage Description

Medium green, narrow, grass-like, erect, 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) tall; the upright foliage provides vertical structure after bloom

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (4-8 hours). Moist soil pH 5.5-7.0 — tolerates clay. Not drought-tolerant. Divide every 3-4 years (root mass becomes impenetrable after 5+ years). Leave or remove decorative seed pods. Cut foliage to ground in late fall (October). Toxic to pets (irisin glycosides). Deer-resistant. Zones 3-9.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom or leave for seed pods. Cut all foliage to the ground in late fall (October). Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early fall — use a sharp spade or saw for the dense root mass.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall