{"id":26199,"date":"2023-08-17T13:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3a683237-e305-49a4-9b47-479a352ccd1b"},"modified":"2023-08-29T19:36:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:36:21","slug":"siberian-irises-how-to-grow","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/siberian-irises-how-to-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Siberian irises: how to grow"},"content":{"rendered":"

New breeding has intensified the colour range of Siberian irises. Head gardener Troy Scott Smith selects the best for brief but glorious flowering. Words Troy Scott Smith, photographs Dianna Jazwinski <\/p>

By Troy Scott Smith\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 11:01 AM<\/p>

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Siberian irises are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with narrow, grassy foliage. The branched stems bear up to five violet-blue flowers, 6-7cm wide, in early summer. Iris flowers are made up of standards (three upright petals) and falls (the three lower petals that flare out), which in Siberian irises are often veined purple-white.<\/p>

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The haft (the base of the falls where they begin to narrow) is generally golden yellow. Some also have what is known as a signal \u2013 a bright spot of contrasting colour flaring out from the haft at the base of the fall. Most garden cultivars are hybrids of Iris<\/em> sanguinea<\/em>, from Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea, and Iris sibirica<\/em>, from Europe and Central Asia. Irises flower from mid-May to end of June. Older cultivars tend to flower earlier.<\/p>\n
Iris ‘Silver edge’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Iris stems grow up to 1.2m tall and they are best grown in good light without too much competition from neighbouring plants. These are very hardy plants. All have with an RHS hardiness rating of H7 and are suitable for gardens in USDA zones 3a to 9b.<\/p>
How to grow Siberian irises<\/h2>
How to divide Siberian irises<\/h3>
Unlike bearded irises<\/a>, Siberian irises can be treated like any other perennial, so when a clump becomes shy flowering you should lift, divide and replant. Palm-sized clumps are best for transplanting<\/a>; smaller divisions can take up to two years to reach a size where they will flower. Carefully dig up the iris rhizomes with a garden fork and cut down the leaves to a short fan (the roots must be kept moist while the plants are out of the ground). Plant the iris rhizomes at least 5cm deep (slightly deeper in sandy soils) and at 30-45cm spacing depending on desired effect. <\/p>
When to divide Siberian irises<\/h3>
Spring is the best time to divide irises, with August as an alternative. If growing in well-drained soil, then water until they are established. Once the iris roots are down, they usually look after themselves. It\u2019s best not to replant when frosts are likely; you can expect losses if you lift and divide during late autumn or winter.<\/p>
Growing irises from seed<\/h3>
Although iris cultivars can only be vegetatively propagated<\/a>, it is possible to raise plants from seed, and you will get a range of interesting, colourful, good garden plants within just a few years. To start your seeds indoors, you will need to cold stratify them. First soak the seeds for three to five days, then place them in a plastic bag with moist vermiculite and pop the bag in the fridge for up to 60 days (check the moisture level of the vermiculite periodically). After 60 days, some of your seeds may already have sprouted. The rest will germinate within days of being removed from the refrigerator, prick out when large enough to handle into rigid plug trays and on into 9cm pots. The plants will flower within three years after sowing.<\/p>
Alternatively, you can sow seeds in December to February and place in a cold greenhouse or polytunnel and germination should be straightforward. The flowers are hermaphroditic (meaning they have both male and female organs) and are generally pollinated by insects, although self fertilisation is possible.<\/p>
Discover the best Siberian irises to grow<\/h2>
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1<\/p>
Iris<\/em> \u2018Papillon\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Papillon’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Registered by WR Dykes in 1923, this easy, fast-growing floriferous iris is a form of Iris sibirica<\/em>, the species whose flowers are pure China-blue in its true form. With light-blue, translucent petals and sheaths of grassy leaves, an iris that looks best near water. 90cm.<\/p>\n
$\"Iris$
Iris \u2018Wealden Carousel\u2019 – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Pansy Purple’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Stephen Wilcox’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Salamander Crossing’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Fond Kiss’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Butter and Sugar’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Silver Edge’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Papillon’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Snowcrest’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘So Van Gogh’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica ‘Lavender Fair’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
$\"Iris$
Iris siberica’ Shrawley’ – \u00a9 Dianna Jazwinski<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>