Plant of the month: Sibe­rian iris (Iris sibi­rica)

data

Bota­nical name: Iris sibi­rica
German name: Sibe­rian iris
Family: Iridaceae (iris family)
Flowe­ring time: May to June
Blos­soms: Blue violet
Foliage: Summer green
Growth habit: Peren­nial, up to 100 cm high
Origin: Europe / Western Siberia

Details of the plant

Iris sibi­rica is a deci­duous peren­nial that impresses with its elegant violet-blue flowers. The iris is named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow and adds pretty accents to the garden with its attrac­tive flowers. The beau­tifully shaped flowers of the Sibe­rian iris attract nume­rous insects from May to June. The three partial blooms form an unusual flower shape. Outside the flowe­ring season, Iris sibi­rica stands out with its graceful leaves: The tightly growing and narrow leaves gradu­ally taper and are remi­nis­cent of orna­mental grass or reeds. The easy-care and robust Sibe­rian iris loves the sun, but also thrives in partial shade. Iris sibi­rica prefers moist and well-drained soil, but can also cope with a short dry period.

Use in the design

Iris sibi­rica fits into any peren­nial border and adds a pretty splash of colour to the garden during the flowe­ring season. Due to its prefe­rence for moist soil, the Sibe­rian iris is ideal for the edge of a pond or in a swamp bed. In combi­na­tion with later-flowering peren­nials, the impres­sive flowers of the Iris sibi­rica are given their grand entrance. After they have faded, other peren­nials will create new high­lights with their flowers. Planted in large numbers, Iris sibi­rica looks parti­cu­larly impres­sive. Our plant of the month is not only a real eye-catcher, but can also be playfully combined with many peren­nial plants.

PARC’S refe­rences

• A place to sit and feel good
• Garden design with foun­tain