How to plant irises. Cultivation Grow in any good garden soil that is preferably moist but not waterlogged. Blooms of this flower have three petals on top, with three drooping petals below, known as falls. Place the containers inside a plastic bag and then place the bag covered container in your refrigerator for 60 days. How to Grow Irises Fertilize in early spring with an all-purpose fertilizer scratched in around the plants. Perhaps the process of planting and growing the Siberian Iris can best be explained … If you wish to add a few Siberian iris blooms to a container, you may plant them at any time. Sign up for our newsletter. Avoid planting them with ground cover plants as these might hide their rhizomes from the sun. Introducing drama in the garden, each sturdy flower stalk produces many dainty blossoms, well above the foliage of upright, grassy, swordlike leaves. The main requirement Siberian Iris has in terms of soil is that it should drain well. How to Grow Siberian Iris From Seed Indoors To start your seeds indoors, you will need to cold stratify them. Divide clumps from midsummer to early autumn. Siberian iris grows from underground rhizomes. Avoid applying high-nitrogen... Do not overwater irises; too much moisture in the soil can cause the rhizomes (roots) to rot. Bare root Iris sibirica or Iris spuria. Most gardeners deadhead the plants to promote further blooming, but some abstain from this so as to retain the seed pods for winter interest. Both types of iris thrive in any well-drained soil, but Siberian irises tolerate a damp soil as well. The rhizomatous or fibrous roots can be planted in full sun to partially shady areas. EYE-riss sih-BEER-ih-kah. For border irises bought as rhizomes, dig a hole, large enough for the rhizome and roots. Pack lightly, water copiously! You may wonder when to plant Siberian iris to enjoy the frilly blooms in your garden. Japanese Iris: Iris Ensata Siberian Iris: Iris Sibirica There are hundreds of varieties of colorful Irises, with many colors and color combinations. The rhizomes spread out beneath the surface of the soil to form a network that holds back the soil during rainstorms. Siberian iris spreads quickly, so be sure that you are planting it in a spot where it has room to grow. Soak the iris seeds in the water, placing a saucer on top so the seeds stay submerged and don't float to the top. Plant the rhizomes for this perennial in spring (or in fall, in the South), install them 1 to 2 inches deep, and space them 1 to 2 feet apart. Bees and butterflies are drawn to it, but deer tend not to eat it, and the plant is also resistant to rabbits. Although it works well in the woodland garden, where there is enough sun to accentuate its color, it's best in full sun and mixed into wild meadow stands. The maintenance involved in growing Siberian iris stems mainly from the fact that the plant grows from rhizomes, which allow it to spread. Divide clumps from midsummer to early autumn. Soak the seeds for two weeks, changing the water daily. Each blossom features rich wine purple standards and falls and lighter blue-purple styles. Iris thrive with good air circulation and sunshine, so a generally sunny site is ideal giving them plenty of room to spread. The semi-flaring falls display prominent white and yellow signals with purple veining, creating a ravishing, colorful effect. This compact grower has a long bloom period. Siberian iris will flower best if grown in full sun (in the North), but the plant tolerates partial shade. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Plant potted irises as you would other perennials. Light, regular watering is preferable. Plants are lifted all the year round. It appears to be a form of Iris sibirica in a rich blue with white falls strongly veined in blue. Plant them in late fall in mild climates. Dividing the plants like this will not only increase your supply but it can re-invigorate the original speciment. Use these beautiful plants as a background border for other early spring bloomers. They will thrive in any soil from the heaviest to the lightest. Water established plants regularly when drought conditions exist. ProblemsIris borer, verbena bud moth, whiteflies, iris weevil, thrips, slugs and snails, aphids, and nematodes. The rhizomes of the Siberian Iris plant must be planted at least 1 to 2 feet apart from each other and should be planted during late summer or early spring. Add some soil fertilizer if the earth isn't very rich. While tolerant of shade at the northern end of its range, the Siberian iris does not flower well in excessive shade; too much will cause the leaves to flop over. The iris is grand and beautiful. Siberian iris plants can reach as little as 12 inches (.3 m.) in height or grow taller than 3 feet (1 m.). You will also get a visual signal that this is happening: The plant will start to peter out. Fill your containers with good quality, well-drained soil. In terms of size and shape, the different varieties of Siberian iris do not diverge greatly from each other. Iri sibiricas can be planted in sun or shade. While we think of them as bulbs, they are really propagated from a their Rhizome, or roots. Planting Siberian iris in mass adds an elegant charm to the spring garden. Put simply, the Siberian Iris is more the product of gardeners than is it the work of nature. An advantage the Siberian iris has over the bearded iris (Iris germanica), for example, is that its foliage, which forms vase-shaped clumps, remains attractive after the blooming period is over. Divide Siberian iris in early spring, just after new growth emerges, or in late summer or early autumn, after the plant has finished blooming. To avoid air pockets beneath the crown, make a small hill of soil in the center of the planting hole, place the rhizome on the hill with the roots spread around it, fill the hole with soil, and pack it tight. How to Plant Iris Plant rhizomes with the crowns 1 inch below the soil level and cover them with soil—2 inches deep, if the soil is sandy. The three standards are lighter coral to coral-lavender with a touch a light yellow in the central vein. Easy to grow, irises Germanica and Sibirica require to be planted in a sunny position where their rhizomes can bake in the sun. Water established plants regularly when drought conditions exist. Iris sibirica. So you will not have to spend a lot of time on pest control when growing Siberian iris. IRIS SIBIRICA SEEDS (Siberian Iris) - Plant World Seeds. If fall planting time has passed you by, and in more northern areas, planting Siberian iris in spring is perfectly fine; just don’t expect blooms the same year. Easy Siberian iris care involves regular watering during the first year, limited fertilization and division of the clumps every three to five years. Feed Siberian iris plants in spring with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and fertilize again when blooms are spent. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. 4 Plant in slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Iris sibirica‘Solar Energy’ - A stunner, this Siberian Iris with fantastic form and substance displays creamy standards with light yellow styles.The centers of the deep yellow falls glow, demand attention with each gently ruffled petal sporting a wide cream rim. But hardiness does vary, and you have a choice between three or four flower colors. Remove rocks and large clods, then using a garden fork or … Iris sibirica 'Cream of Tomato' - Exceptional light coral pink falls contrast warmly with the yellow signal. Siberian Iris Care: How to Grow the Siberian Iris Flower Know your Siberian Iris. The leaves are narrow and bluish-green. Divide Siberian iris when the center of the crown starts to feel woody rather than pliant. That said, this plant is remarkably tolerant of soil conditions, and can usually even handle relatively wet soil. Through division and learning when to plant Siberian iris, you can ensure continuing blooms each year. Since Siberian iris does spread, be careful about picking a place in which to grow it. Named after the Greek goddess who rode rainbows, it comes in more than 300 species in the genus Iris.Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are the most popular and bold, while Siberian Irises (Iris sibirica) add a gentle eastern flare to the garden.The glorious history behind the iris paves the way for a flourishing, reliable future. This graceful, spring-flowering iris has blooms in various shades of blue-purple with white veining on the falls. Keep the ground consistently moist throughout the spring and into early summer. Try as an equivalent to water Iris in damp spots around pools, ponds and water gardens. Learn how to grow Siberian iris for its lush, long-lasting blooms and low-maintenance, narrow foliage, which remains attractive after the blooms are spent. In drier soils, dig in well-rotted organic matter before planting then apply as a mulch each spring Since the Siberian iris is susceptible to crown rot, do not intentionally saturate its soil. The rhizomes are covered with the brown remnants of old leaves, from previous seasons. ... PropagationLift and divide clumps, or separate bulb offsets, and plant immediately, in early autumn. By: Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden. It was discovered in a garden near the village of Shrawley in Worcestershire and became available from the 1970s. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Growing the Siberian Iris. Siberian iris is not as showy as many other types of irises are, but it makes up for this by being easy to grow and more drought-tolerant. Water consistently and... Keep rhizomes exposed. Botanical name: Iris sibirica. Tweet: Iris Specific Advice . Standards alternate with soft, gentle pastel yellow styles. Bees and butterflies are drawn to it, but deer tend not to eat it, and the plant is also resistant to rabbits. Plant the rhizome in a small mound of soil away from humidity — it must be practically showing. They are easy to grow, enjoying a sunny or partially shaded spot in moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the plants are established, about a year. The Siberian Irises you find in most gardens are a hybrid of two species iris; Iris sibirica and Iris sanguinea. 1m. Irises are perennial flowering plants, many of which "re-bloom". You can plant irises in small groups of the same variety to make pretty little colored zones. Iris sibirica was often confused with Iris sanguinea, another blue flowering Asian iris, but Iris sanguinea has unbranched stems, while Iris sibirica has branched stems.. The Siberian iris is adaptable to a range of planting times. Plant the rhizomes so that you can see the tops just above the soil, with their roots beneath the soil. Planting Siberian iris gardens is best done in a rich, fertile soil with good drainage; however, Siberian iris will perform in lean or poor soils as well. A Siberian iris that is a lot taller than most in this group. Water regularly and thoroughly once new growth begins in the spring. How to grow. Make sure that you plant the Siberian Iris a bit deeper than other Irises and ensure that you cover the rhizomes with two inches of manure soil. Description. Soak the seeds for 3 to 5 days, then plant them ½ inch deep in containers with pre-moistened soil. Siberian Iris rhizomes should be planted 1-2 feet apart in early spring or late summer in clod weather regions. Steps for Transplanting Iris Once the iris rhizomes have been divided, you can replant them. Keep the soil consistently moist until the plants are established, about a year. Grow Siberian irises in full sun or partial shade with moist, slightly acidic soil and give them plenty of room to spread Iris sibirica ‘Perry’s Blue’ It does not play well with others, and, as it spreads, you would find yourself constantly removing it from where it does not belong. This will be especially evident when you have multiple plants, as overcrowding will occur and each plant will sap the strength out of its neighbors. You would not want to grow it in or around a flower border where it would be expected to behave well with its companion plants. Almost any commercially available potting medium will work... Site your containers where they will get full day sun. This will allow the plant to re-establish its roots without having to support a large amount of foliage at the same time. 10 working days must be allowed for lifting and splitting. When growing Siberian iris (Iris sibirica), gardens will burst with early season color and intricate, frilly flowers. This feature makes the plant useful in erosion control. Iris sibirica 'Caesar's Brother' (Siberian Iris) is a clump-forming perennial with stunning, deep, velvety violet flowers from late spring to early summer. 15 Best Zone 8 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden. So you will not have to spend a lot of time on pest control when growing Siberian iris. While not large by iris standards, the flowers are colorful and have a graceful shape. Initial soaking removes growth inhibitors in the seeds, making them more likely to germinate. This is the basis of Siberian iris care; they are rarely bothered by rots and borers as are the bearded iris. Irises prefer soils that are neutral to slightly acidic — a pH of about 6.8-7.0 … For best results grow Iris sibirica in moist soil, or next to water such as at the edge of a pond, in full sun. Smaller and less common than the spring blooming bearded iris, Siberian iris offers a reliable perennial bloom for many years. Feed Siberian iris plants in spring with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and fertilize again when blooms are spent. Try planting your irises in a flowerbed that receives the shade of a tree late in the day or on the side of your house that the sun hits in the afternoon for a good amount of light. Prepare the ground for the newly divided Siberian iris. An exceptional reed-like plant … They should be planted slightly deeper than other types of Iris, covering the rhizomes with one to two inches of soil.