Iris sibirica
Siberian sword-lily
Common names: meadow iris
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Pot size
- from 10 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- May–Jun
- Hardiness
- Hardy
- Origin
- Native to Germany
Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Siberian sword-lily Iris sibirica grows in a clump and produces narrow, grass‑like leaves from which delicate blue‑violet flowers rise in late spring. It is a beardless iris, making it more robust and low‑maintenance than its bearded relatives. It thrives best in moist to moderately moist sites, such as pond edges, perennial borders, or partially shaded beds. Its graceful growth habit and fine flowers make it a popular focal point among grasses and other perennials. All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the rhizome; contact can irritate skin and mucous membranes, and ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset. Keep children and pets away and wear gloves when handling the clumps.
Care instructions
Plant in spring or early fall in a sunny to partially shaded spot with consistently moist soil. Water regularly during dry periods, as the plant tolerates wetness better than drought. After flowering in May, June, cut back spent stems close to the ground; keep the leaves as structural support until autumn. Divide clumps every four to five years in late summer when the center lightens to keep the plant vigorous and flowering. Mulching in winter is unnecessary in the DACH region; the species is adequately winter hardy.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringMay–Jun
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, nutrient-rich, humus-rich, loamy
The Siberian iris likes it evenly moist to wet and at times also tolerates waterlogging at the pond edge. A humus-rich, nutrient-rich loam gives it the strength for dense clumps and plenty of flowers. On light sandy soils that dry out quickly, you need extra layers of mulch so the roots do not dry out.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar, May
In early spring the iris welcomes a helping of mature compost, which you work shallowly into the top layer of soil. A second, lighter helping of compost after flowering in May supports the formation of new rhizomes for the coming year. This undemanding perennial needs no more; too many nutrients tend to come at the expense of abundant flowering.
Overwintering
The Siberian iris is hardy and needs no special protection. Leave the foliage standing over winter; it protects the rhizome from frost and is only cut back in early spring. In particularly harsh locations, a thin mulch layer of leaves or straw over the roots helps.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- From seed
The most reliable way to propagate the Siberian iris is by dividing established clumps in late summer, once flowering is over. To do this, dig out the root ball, separate strong rhizome pieces with several shoots and replant them straight away in moist soil. Division is worthwhile every 3 to 4 years anyway, because otherwise the clumps go bare from the inside. Sowing is possible, but it takes considerably longer to the first flowering, and cultivars do not always come true to type.
For your garden
Grow Siberian sword-lily yourself
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