Siberian Iris extravaganza

NEW SIBERIAN IRIS CULTIVARS SUCH AS THIS ONE NAMED ‘HERE BE DRAGONS’  HAVE EXTRAORDINARY COLORS LIKE THESE MUSTARD GOLD AND GREY TONES.

Of all the Iris that I grow, my favorites are still the June flowering Siberian Iris. Siberian Iris are easier to grow than most any other iris, only requiring dividing every few years, which will provide you with enough plants to share, and they are simple to grow compared to the giant German Bearded Iris, or smaller species. Siberians can be divided in early spring with nothing more than a garden spade, they never require staking, they are sturdy in the rain, and they are rather disease free. Best of all, they only get better every year. The greatest problem I know is that they are hard to find, I think because either buyers associate them with old fashioned granny plants ( since they are classic hand-me-downs) so customers associate them with the ugly blueish purple skinny petaled forms that many of us grew up with ( remember the crispy split seed pods in the fall and the tall foliage that looks like cattails?).

New varieties are greater than ever, but only a few sources carry them today. I highly recommend Joe Pye Weed Garden for mail order, that’s where I bought mine.

‘ECHO THE WIND’ A TALL BI COLORED BLUE

‘MR. PEACOCK’ HAS NAVY BLUE FLOWERS WITH AN AMAZING DARK TINT AND LACY VEINING

If you think that this looks like a wild Iris versicolor, it is, but a special one which was selected after being collected in a roadside ditch in Maine. It is about three times the size of the typical species.

Iris pseudacorus is a lovely wild species here in North America, often found growing along ponds and streams, it can grow very tall, and I love it for is tall 6 foot foliage. This one above is a selection that has larger blossoms. I grow it in the border, where it doesn’t grow as tall as ones planted in water do.

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Comments

  1. These are very nice Siberian Irises. Like you said, they are hard to find except for very common varieties. Thanks for providing the mail order link.

  2. Oh what a treat for the eyes!
    I don't think I can pick a favorite,
    they are all beautiful.
    ~Brooke
    creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/
    facebook.com/pages/WebGarden/261885457648?ref=ts

  3. "Siberians can be divided in early spring with nothing more than a garden spade" Do you want to come down to my place and get mine out? I have probably got the old fashioned ones and they have become unruly clumps taking over far too much of my beds.

    I love that first one the most, what an unusal color.

  4. I have never seen such beautiful irises before. I had not heard of Siberian Irises. I love the color of the unusual first iris on your site. I will try to find that here in Australia and if not will see if Joe Pye Weed's will supply Australia. Thanks again

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