Alphabetical Plant Listing

Best Siberian Irises (Iris sibirica) For Your Garden

Iris sibirica, Siberian Flag


Tall and graceful, Siberian Irises (Iris sibirica) are among the most trouble-free and low-maintenance perennials in the garden. Beloved for their delicate flowers and slim, grasslike foliage, they are hardy and withstand wind, rain, and cold. Among the easiest of all types of irises to grow, they are also pest and disease free.

  • Perfect for borders, wild gardens, and along edges of ponds, Siberian Irises deserve a prominent spot in the landscape and are most spectacular in large groupings where they develop a bouquet effect.
  • Blooming earlier than the Japanese Irises (Iris ensata) and slightly later than the Tall Bearded Irises (Iris germanica), their exquisite flowers appear on slender stems up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) in late spring to early summer.
  • Though their flowering display is short-lived, their handsome foliage of long, dark green, swordlike leaves, is attractive most of the year and adds structure to the perennial border. Remaining fresh-looking all season, it develops a nice golden fall color, which turns a rusty red-brown with the first frost.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant, they perform best in full sun or part shade, in average, medium to wet soils. Shade is tolerated, but their flowering performance may be altered. They are drought tolerant, even though they prefer adequate moisture.

The choice of available Siberian Iris cultivars varies from country to country, but a few of these beauties have won the prestigious Morgan Award, the highest award reserved exclusively for Siberian Irises within the American Iris Society.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Compare All Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris Great Plant Combination Ideas with Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris Guides with Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris

ivusakzkrabice / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Compare All Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris Great Plant Combination Ideas with Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris Guides with Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris

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