Siberian irises are very versatile perennial plants in the home landscape. They can be effectively used as a handsome substitute for ornamental grasses. Their upright blue-green foliage habit persists well into the middle of fall, and May flowers add another element of color into the garden space before summer. Bloom stalks also have great value in cut flower arrangements. Attractive varieties with great garden value will project their abundance of blooms well above their foliage. Siberian irises are deer resistant. This quality is a great plus for suburban gardeners in newly developed urban subdivisions.

Blue, lavender, purple, violet, wine-red and pure white have been the main color range in hybrid creations for many years. Recent breeding efforts have worked to improve lavender pink and yellow shadings with some success. The rare bicolor and amoena (white standards and colored falls) patterns are now showing

up on some hybrids pioneered by the late Dr. Currier McEwen have been developed featuring bigger plants, foliage and flowers. Proper culture is crucial in establishing newly planted bare root divisions. Clumps will need a few growing seasons to reach maturity and optimal bloom, but their growth habit allows them to remain undisturbed in the ground for countless years of peak performance and pleasure.

Availability and selection of varieties has been limited in nurseries and garden centers. Many of the choices currently offered for sale are old favorites with reliable growth habits. This lack of selection has affected the use of this popular beardless iris in the home and commercial landscape. One of the goals of Roots & Blooms and the Joyce Lockatell Memorial Garden is to alert spring visitors to the many exciting developments in current Siberian culture.

As we evaluate the garden performance of new groundbreaking introductions in our Central VA climate, Roots & Blooms will be promoting the expansion of future Siberian iris use in existing garden lineups and new landscape designs.

For More information on Siberian Irises please use the links below.
Siberian Iris Care - Care for Siberian Iris.
Facts and Favorites - Microsoft Word document format.