Siberian Iris Cultivation Instruction
Siberian Iris (Iris siberica) are tall, graceful plants with slim, grassy foliage. They are suitable for borders, wild gardens, and along edges of ponds, but not for growing in water. Siberian Iris are among the easiest and most adaptable of all types of Iris to raise and bloom in the temperate climatic zones. When growing Siberian iris (Iris sibirica), gardens will burst with early season color and intricate, frilly flowers. Planting Siberian iris in mass adds an elegant charm to the spring garden. Use these beautiful plants as a background border for other early spring bloomers.
Upon receipt of your Siberian Iris, soak your rhizomes in water overnight. Plant your Siberian Iris deeper than other Iris, covering the rhizomes with one or two inches of soil. Space your plants two feet apart. Siberian Iris prefer acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.9).
Planting Siberian iris gardens is best done in a rich, fertile soil, however, Siberian iris will perform in lean or poor soils as well. Feed Siberian iris plants in spring with a nitrogen rich fertilizer and fertilize again when blooms are spent. Peat moss, compost, and humus all work as soil enhancers.
In northern states, Siberians do best in full sun, or at minimum six hours of sunshine. In hot southern areas, protection from the mid-day sun is often a requirement.
Good drainage is essential, as Siberians thrive in moist but not soggy conditions. Keep the soil consistently moist until the plants are established, about a year. They enjoy lots of moisture in spring, and will do best if given a minimum of one inch per week during the balance of the growing season, so plant them with other perennials, such as day lilies which also need constant moisture to keep doing their best. Water established plants regularly when drought conditions exist.
The Siberian iris is adaptable to a range of planting times. To enjoy the blooms most readily, plant Siberian iris gardens from corms in late summer or autumn. 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. If you wish to add a few Siberian iris blooms to a container, you may plant them at any time.
This is the basis of Siberian iris care; they are rarely bothered by rots and borers as are the bearded iris
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