When choosing plants for their plot, every gardener dreams of creating a beautiful and well-groomed corner that would bring joy all season long. Some people like selective roses that require attention, while others prefer easy-to-care junipers. But there are garden plants that are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and, at the same time, are quite unpretentious. A striking example of such a plant is the Siberian iris, a favorite flower of gardeners not only in our country, but throughout the world.

Siberian irises are perennial plants that can bloom for decades. They represent a fairly large group of garden irises, which are suitable for growing in the northern regions of Russia, are distinguished by regular flowering and resistance to diseases. According to various sources, there are from 500 to 1000 varieties of these plants, varying in bush height, color, size and shape of flowers.

Unlike their “brothers”, bearded irises, Siberian irises do not have characteristic beards on their petals; the plants themselves are less tall and more resistant to diseases and temperature changes. Fully justifying their name, they courageously endure harsh and snowless winters, windy weather and lack of fertile soil. The only thing that may disappoint lovers of fragrant flowers is the lack of scent. But don't be upset - abundant flowering Siberian iris fully compensates for this small “shortcoming”.

These plants require little attention and at the beginning of summer for 10 - 15 days they delight with their spectacular flowers. On each peduncle, 5–7 flowers appear, each of which blooms for 4–5 days. After flowering, the plants do not lose their attractiveness, and until the autumn cold, their hard, pointed leaves continue to decorate garden plot. But, undoubtedly, the flowering of iris is a real celebration of beauty, and in order for the plants to show themselves in all their splendor, they should be taken care of regularly.

When choosing a place to plant Siberian irises, you should take into account the level of illumination of the area. Irises need fairly bright lighting, but in hot midday hours a little shading from direct sunlight is desirable. Irises are not picky about soil composition and bloom successfully in normal conditions. garden soil, but the most abundant flowering occurs in an alkaline environment. The soil must certainly be well-drained - although Siberian irises are resistant to short-term waterlogging, a constant excess of moisture will certainly lead to the death of the plants. You should not plant Siberian irises near trees and shrubs - excess shading and the powerful root system of larger “neighbors” will only interfere with their full development.

These plants bloom in the first half of summer. During this period, caring for irises consists of regular watering and timely removal of fading flowers. The fact is that Siberian irises set seeds quite quickly, and the plant begins to reproduce by self-sowing. While this would be an advantage for most garden plants, this cannot be said about Siberian irises. Plants grown from seeds are not very decorative and often only vaguely resemble the original variety.

In autumn, the foliage of irises inevitably loses its attractiveness. appearance and requires pruning. This simple procedure is carried out either in the second half of autumn, or in early spring, before the appearance of young leaves. Moreover, it is not recommended to trim leaves that are still green - this may worsen the flowering of plants next year. It should also be taken into account that the rhizome of Siberian irises grows not only in depth, but also upward, eventually protruding above the soil surface. You should avoid such exposure of the roots and periodically add soil to the base of the bush.

Irises reproduce well by dividing the bush. The timing of this procedure depends entirely on the climate prevailing in a particular region. In cold areas, replanting is best done in the spring, after the snow cover has melted. High humidity and a steady increase in temperature during this period create optimal conditions for a successful transplant. In warmer regions, it is preferable to replant 1.5 - 2 months after flowering, until October. Spring in the southern regions can be dry, and frosts come quite late, so such a “late” transplant is an ideal option for Siberian irises.

Before dividing the rhizome, it is necessary to trim the leaves by about two-thirds, which will inevitably reduce moisture evaporation and speed up the adaptation of the plant after transplantation. Divide the rhizome in such a way that there are 1 - 2 sprouts on each cut piece of root. This procedure is carried out using a clean knife or any other sharp garden tool. Fresh sections should be sprinkled with charcoal or activated carbon to avoid infection, and allowed to dry for a couple of hours, leaving planting material in a shaded place. Then the prepared rhizomes are planted in shallow holes and sprinkled with earth, compacting it slightly.

Water new plants regularly to keep the soil moist. Siberian irises take a relatively long time to take root after transplantation and rarely bloom on next year, so you shouldn’t replant them every season. The most optimal interval for replanting these plants is 3 - 4 years.

As for fertilizing Siberian irises, it would be preferable to use compost. This organic fertilizer gradually gives away necessary for plants microelements, which Siberian irises have enough for quite long term. Typically, Siberian irises are fed a couple of times during the season. Old and heavily overgrown bushes can be fed with complex mineral fertilizer in the spring, before active growth begins.

Irises are truly beautiful. Their sophisticated beauty has long been appreciated not only in Europe and America, but also in the East, especially in Japan, where at least a couple of these lovely flowers grow in almost every garden. Siberian irises look great in group plantings, along garden paths, on alpine roller coaster and, of course, near the shore of the reservoir. In addition, Siberian irises stand beautifully when cut, which makes it possible not only to enjoy them in your own garden, but also to give living beauty to others.

indasad.ru

Siberian iris - planting and care

Siberian irises- This is an excellent choice for improving the garden. They are completely unpretentious and can take root on almost any type of soil. This plant also has unique property– their powerful root system literally cleanses the soil where they grow from pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and also improves its fertile characteristics. This article will tell the reader about the features of planting Siberian iris and proper care behind him.

General information

Height Siberian irises may vary significantly depending on the variety. Usually it varies from half a meter to one and a half meters, however, there are also dwarf subspecies of this plant. The color of Siberian iris flowers can also vary significantly. In the gardens of lovers of these plants, they can be found in purple, blue, violet or yellow colors. Sometimes, in addition to the primary color, the inflorescence may also contain secondary shades in the area of the petal border, which can be orange or brown. The time when the Siberian iris blooms in the garden passes almost unnoticed, because it lasts approximately two weeks at the beginning of summer. But even after flowering has finished, this plant looks very decorative thanks to its lush dark green foliage. Although the flowering of the Siberian iris is not long, the plant looks very impressive during this period, because up to 10-12 flowers can bloom on one bush. We no longer dare bore the reader with a section devoted to the description of the Siberian iris, and move on to the promised topic, that is, to the peculiarities of growing this plant.

Planting and care

Initially, you should decide on the place to plant the irises, because replanting them is not at all easy. And there is no need, because this plant is capable of blooming in one place for up to several decades. A slightly shaded area is optimal, but on condition that the irises are planted no closer than two meters to trees or shrubs. The thing is that their root system is much more powerful than that of the Siberian iris, and as a result the latter will constantly suffer from a lack of moisture. Gardeners should also remember that the opinion about the need for abundant watering of the presented plant is not entirely correct. Of course, irises can withstand even spring floods, but their growth stops completely.

Once a site has been selected, it is recommended that you treat it with a good herbicide concentrate to kill the weeds. “Hurricane” or “Tornado” are quite suitable for these purposes; it is better not to be greedy and use a double dose, because this plant does not tolerate unwanted proximity very well. Standard agricultural technology for propagating Siberian irises is dividing old bushes. Best time for this purpose - early spring, when young leaves are just beginning to appear. It is recommended to trim the aerial parts and rhizomes by a third for purchased iris bushes. This way, moisture loss will be reduced and the plant will be less sick. The holes for these plants need to be made as deep as

so that the cut roots do not bend at all. Then they are gradually sprinkled with soil and compacted. After this, the irises are given good watering, and add a small layer of mulch on top. To water these plants, it is recommended to add iron sulfate - 30 grams per 10 liters of water. This prevents soil acidity from increasing. After we have figured out how to plant Siberian iris, we should find out how to properly water the plant. It is best to do this before 10-11 am or after 20:00, then this procedure will bring maximum benefit.

We hope that this article will help you to have irises bloom wildly in your garden next year.

womanadvice.ru

Siberian iris: general description, growing conditions and application

Siberian iris is absolutely unpretentious, winter-hardy and resistant to various diseases. All these positive traits he passed it on to his offspring in full. Practical Americans appreciated this and immediately began breeding activities for this species. As a result of the work done, a whole galaxy of beautiful varieties of this plant was obtained.

general description

Currently, flower growers all over the world are passionate about a new variety of irises. Siberian irises, which can be grown in our conditions, are of great interest to hobbyists today.

This is a perennial plant with a fairly powerful root system. A misconception is that Siberian iris belongs to bulbous crops. The leaves of these flowers are thin, sword-shaped, flat, with a waxy coating, usually collected in a bunch in the form of a fan. The roots are fibrous and thread-like, and have the ability to improve the structural composition of the soil.

Siberian iris blooms, depending on the variety, for up to five days, from May to June. It has a large peduncle, which usually consists of six petals and is distinguished by its elegant shape and rich range of various shades. The outer and inner parts of the flower differ in size, color and shape. The fruits of the iris are long triangular capsules, the seeds are quite large and ribbed, Brown. Their number in one seed box ranges from 25 to 45 pieces.

Common varieties of irises

bearded iris

This variety received this name due to the presence of outer petals, decorated at the base with stripes of hairs of contrasting color, which clearly stand out against the background of the flower itself. Bearded irises can be tall, short or medium tall. The color of their flowers can be blue or purple with an original border.

Russian iris

This iris grows in low, fairly dense bushes. The flowers of this species are fragrant, medium in size, usually lilac or purple in color. The advantage of these flowers is that they are suitable for rocky soils.

Siberian iris

The height of representatives of this variety is about 1 meter. Siberian iris is quite tolerant of temperature changes. Its leaves are narrow and green and persist until the first frost. The flowers of this iris are predominantly purple or of blue color. All varieties bred on the basis of the Siberian iris are united in the section of beardless irises Limniris.

marsh iris

Swamp iris can reach a height of up to one meter. Flowers - yellow color with brownish streaks. The flowering period of this variety is from May to June. It is quite thermophilic, prefers the sunny side or partial shade. This type Iris grows quite quickly. It is mainly used to decorate reservoirs up to 40 cm deep. It tolerates water salinity well.

Dwarf iris

This variety was imported from Southern Europe. Its maximum height reaches 10 cm. When growing, the dwarf iris forms medium-sized bushes. It blooms in May with small flowers that have a variety of colors.

Japanese iris

The flower can be small, medium, large or very large in size. The flower shape of the Japanese iris can be simple, double or double. The height of this iris varies; it can be very short or quite tall. By flowering time, depending on the variety, early and very late species can be distinguished. Japanese iris flowers have a purple or violet hue. This variety is slightly winter-hardy.

Growing conditions

Siberian iris prefers to grow in fertile soils. It does not tolerate excess moisture and strong shading. Nitrogen in large doses causes various diseases in this variety. For intensive growth, loamy soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction is suitable.

Application

Since irises are very diverse and decorative, they are used quite widely. These flowers are planted near the shores of artificial reservoirs, planted on alpine hills, and miniature gardens are also created from them.

Very beautiful combination obtained from irises with poppies, lupins, phlox, peonies and saxifrage. It is necessary to take into account the fact that irises are not very competitive, so quickly growing perennials can easily suppress them.

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The ancestor of the group of Siberian irises is a domestic wild species, still found in the Siberian taiga, known for a long time and widely grown in our area. The name “iris”, which in Greek means “rainbow”, appeared relatively recently, and before that the flower was first called killer whale (orca) - the leaves are like a scythe, and then affectionately and lovingly - iris. That's what they still call it today.

Many varieties of Siberian irises have been bred - about a thousand, although the most famous and best is still considered the variety 'White Swirl', bred in the middle of the last century. But world selection does not stand still, domestic specialists are seriously lagging behind in this regard, and every year many new varieties appear on the international flower market, differing in both color and shape.

Siberian iris: cultivation

Unlike bearded people, Siberian irises They do not have soft bristly outgrowths resembling a beard on the lower petals, which is why they are also called beardless. But their difference with bearded irises not only external, the most important feature of Siberians is their amazing vitality, which allows them to be grown in places where their more famous relatives would have died long ago from unfavorable external conditions and diseases.

In terms of flowering time, there are practically no differences between the two irises, but in terms of its duration, Siberian irises are preferable.

One bearded iris flower lives for 1-2 days, while beardless species do not fade within 4-5 days, and since the group of Siberian irises is divided into early and late species, then general period Their flowering period can be 5-6 weeks.

Just a nuisance! Siberian irises have no aroma at all, but serious work is being done to combat this problem.

Benefits of Siberian irises

Bearded irises, with their striking beauty, could not even dream of such advantages that Siberians have. After all, in order to grow a spectacular bearded bush, they need to create the most comfortable living conditions, first of all, protection from waterlogging and a comfortable wintering. Beardless irises are completely unpretentious in this regard.

Firstly, they are absolutely winter-hardy, withstanding even harsh snowless winters without any shelter.

Secondly, Siberian irises are wind-resistant, do not require staking of bushes and do not need barriers.

Thirdly, since in nature iris grows in rather harsh conditions, in the garden they can withstand poor soils, shading and excess moisture, and for them, unlike bearded irises, drying out of the rhizomes is unacceptable.

And finally, fourthly, Siberian irises are extremely resistant to diseases, in particular to bacteriosis, which often affects bearded irises. Moreover, due to their powerful root system, they are capable of improving the soil, so they can be specially planted on lands infected with bacteriosis; in 3-4 years, if they do not completely rid the area of diseases, then at least they will significantly weaken them.

Siberian iris: reproduction

Reproduction of iris does not present any difficulties; it occurs by dividing the rhizomes. This is usually done either in the spring, at the stage of the appearance of the first leaves, or towards the end of July - 2-3 weeks after flowering. Plant the divisions a little deeper compared to bearded irises.

Despite the fact that killer whales have a number of advantages, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of growing more demanding species because of them. After all, it is difficult to imagine a real garden of irises without large-flowered, luxurious bearded hybrids, or elegantly refined Dutch varieties, or sophisticated Japanese... Try, plant, grow and compare, perhaps you will become a fan of one particular species, or perhaps you will not resist the temptation to have everything at once!

sazhaemsad.ru

Siberian iris buy in Moscow, photo, cultivation

Iris Siberian forms bushes 70–80 cm high, with narrow, very decorative leaves. The shape of mature bushes resembles a fountain. The flowers are light blue, purple, bloom in May–June (depending on the weather), very beautiful and pleasantly smelling.

Siberian iris

Siberian blue iris

Siberian irises are hardy and unpretentious plants, resistant to diseases, do not require shelter for the winter, and are not affected by bacteriosis.

The flowers on tall peduncles are medium-sized, excellent for cutting: they stand in water for two weeks.

Planting Siberian irises

Siberian iris is planted in sunny places; light partial shade is acceptable, but less desirable.

Delenki are planted to a depth of 5–10 cm. They are fed in the same way as bearded irises. You can add fertilizing with urea on melted snow, and eliminate the addition of ash.

Siberian irises are moisture-loving; in hot summers they need watering. Mulching of plantings is useful.

Siberian iris in garden design

Siberian iris is indispensable for damp, but not swampy areas and is often used as coastal plant. And in the garden there are many worthy companions who will show themselves and emphasize the outstanding qualities of a beautiful flower.

For example, the decorative grass Reed Overdam and other grasses go well with Siberian iris. Hosta plants will form a picturesque ensemble with it, where low-growing and textured perennials are planted in the foreground: soft mantle, thick-leaved bergenia, Rogersia, marigolds, primroses.

Siberian iris is a very sociable plant; Against its background, other perennials look even more elegant and presentable: astilbe, astrantia, swimsuits, darmera, kupena, woolly chickweed, lungworts, daylilies and lilies.

Reproduction of Siberian irises

Siberian irises reproduce seeds, but the main method that preserves varietal characteristics plants - division of rhizomes. Plants begin to be divided in early spring (as soon as the soil thaws) or from mid-August to late October (depending on weather conditions). The leaves are shortened by two thirds. The seedling should have 3–5 fans. The cuttings are planted to a depth of 5–10 cm.

What is the difference between Siberian iris and bearded iris?

Siberian iris has thin rhizomes, bearded iris has wide, tuberous rhizomes;
the buds of the Siberian iris are located underground, in the bearded ones - above the soil;
Siberian iris does not have a shaggy beard at the base of the follicles (lower petals), while bearded iris do.

bloomgarden.ru

Siberian iris. Growing irises.

Iris Siberian: the modern appearance of the “Siberian”

There is probably no gardener who does not know about the existence of the iris, which has been decorating our gardens since time immemorial. But how many gardeners who prefer to grow bearded irises know about the existence of Siberian irises? Meanwhile, “Siberians” are ideal plants for our gardens. After all, the great-grandfather of modern hybrid varieties - wild Siberian iris - passed on to his offspring only best qualities: sophistication of form, unpretentiousness, winter hardiness and resistance to wind, pests and diseases.

Interesting to know: species Iris sibirica (Siberian iris) and the garden group of Siberian irises are not the same thing. The group of garden irises includes hybrids obtained from crossing irises belonging to different types. And the name of the group itself must be capitalized.

Distinctive feature: unlike bearded irises, Siberian irises are also called “beardless” due to the absence of a beard (soft bristly growths on the lower petals). Flowers of Siberian irises, reminiscent of fluttering above the foliage bright butterflies, bloom for almost two weeks, while the flowers of the bearded iris last only a couple of days. And if you plant early and late varieties For Siberian irises, flowering can last up to one and a half months.

Siberian irises form dense bushes that hold their shape well and look neat and tidy until autumn. They can decorate any flower bed, border or shore of a pond. The shape of the Siberian iris bush depends on its variety - the leaves can stand upright, fan out, or droop.

Modern hybrids of Siberian irises have a wide range of colors, and even in one variety the color can change during the day - purple shades will predominate during the day, and blue will appear in the evening.

Landscape designers around the world have long appreciated beautiful shape bush of Siberian irises, the splendor of their leaves, unpretentiousness and abundance of flowering. (In some modern varieties, in adulthood the number of peduncles can reach 200 pieces.)

They advise planting Siberian irises in mixborders. But be prepared for the fact that over time you will have to protect neighboring plants from the aggressive pressure of the “Siberian”, since its resistance in plant communities is higher than that of other plants.

In my garden, Siberian irises go wonderfully with columbine, decorative onions, delphiniums, nigella, and the dark orange leotard blooming at the same time as the blue Siberian irises looks simply irresistible.

Modern varieties of Siberian iris.

Studying the diversity of modern varieties of Siberian irises, it is hard to believe that work on their selection began only 50 years ago. The garden group of Siberian irises also includes the blood-red iris ( Iris sanguinea) and from the species Siberian iris( Iris sibirica). These species first appeared in Europe in English gardens, and it was there that the first varieties of Siberian irises were obtained in white-blue-lilac tones with a white-yellow spot at the base of the lower petals. The Cambridge iris is amazingly good, awarded the Dykes Medal - this prize is awarded only to the best, new varieties of bearded irises.

Do you know that…

The Siberian iris has been known in gardening for quite a long time. Already in XVI in breeders began to develop its cultural forms. And wild relatives of plants gained popularity much earlier. In Crete, drawings of this flower are found dating back to the third millennium BC! In ancient Rome, the Siberian iris was depicted in mosaics. In Europe, kings and noblesspruceMozhi decorated their family coats of arms with it. By the way,V coat of arms pre-revolutionary France in reality, not lilies, and stylized iris flowers.

Currently, the selection of Siberian irises is actively carried out in the USA. There, amazingly beautiful varieties with pink, black-violet, and also “marble” colors were obtained. The Hot Sketch and Sugar Rush varieties are almost red, and for example the Tom Schaefer and Haleakala varieties are yellow. Two-color varieties look very exotic - So Van Goch, Pennywhistle, Banish Misfortun and varieties with flowers in brown tones, with a complex overlay of colors - Sarah Tiffney, Humors of Whiske

Based on the shape of the flower, Siberian irises can be divided into several groups: three- and six-petalled, multi-petaled, and also double, with corrugated perianth lobes, like the crimson variety Strawberry Fair. Some varieties have simply gigantic flowers - more than 25 cm - and look like painted saucers.

How to choose the right rhizome of Siberian iris?

Varietal Siberian irises are sold in parts of rhizomes. It often happens that after planting the iris seems to start growing, but then it dies anyway. What is the reason? This occurs due to diseases of the rhizome, which can only be seen on the cut. When purchasing, you must carefully inspect and feel the plant: it should be dense, without traces of rot. Give your plant exceptional care in the first year of its life - plant it in a greenhouse, cover it in anticipation of cold weather. By thereby extending the warm season, you will give the plants the opportunity to grow stronger and take root well.

Siberian iris. Landing.

Siberian irises have a powerful root system, going into the ground to a depth of half a meter, so plant them in fertile, deeply cultivated soil on open places. It is a mistake to believe that Siberian irises shade loving plants. For abundant, colorful flowering, irises must receive maximum sunlight, otherwise flowering will be sparse and fleeting. A good place would be the shore of a reservoir; irises grow best in moist soil; the main thing is to plant the iris so that the growing point is above the water level. Try not to plant irises next to trees and shrubs with a strong root system, they will inhibit the development of Siberian irises. The optimal distance from them is 1.5-2 m. When planting new varieties, take into account the shape of their leaves, since a bush with fountain-shaped foliage will require more space than with upright foliage. Bury the rhizome into the soil 5-7 cm, and mulch after planting. The distance between plants is 50 cm.

Siberian iris. Care

Simple varieties of Siberian irises do not require special care; minimum costs You will always have beautiful and abundant time and energy flowering plant. But if you want to grow modern hybrids that are distinguished by sophistication and even pretentiousness, then caring for them will be more difficult. These varieties winter worse and do not always bloom profusely. Some varieties bloom every other year, skipping flowering periods, or even bloom in the 4th year. In the first year after planting, the color and shape of the flower may not correspond to the variety. This especially applies to terry varieties, most often they form semi-double or simple flowers.

Watering. Siberian irises are moisture-loving, especially during the flowering period. They prefer rare but abundant watering, which moisturizes the soil well.

Mulching. Unlike bearded irises, “Siberians” are recommended to be mulched. Rotted sawdust, pine needles, and bark are perfect for this purpose. Mulch will create more favorable conditions for new roots to grow.

Feeding. Start feeding Siberian irises the next year after planting. In the spring, add a complex mineral fertilizer with a full set of microelements. Before flowering, you can make two more feedings - mineral, the same as in the spring, and organic (infusion of manure). If May is cold, it is better to use foliar feeding.

Removing flower stalks with boxes. Siberian irises easily set seeds and self-sow, so it is important to promptly remove flower stalks with boxes. If you do not do this before the seeds ripen and sow, then after a couple of years you will find “degenerated” irises in this place.

Of the pests and diseases, perhaps the main threat to irises is the caterpillars of the cutworm butterfly. They gnaw at the bases of leaves and flower stalks. To kill caterpillars, use preventative treatment against caterpillars in the spring.

Do you know that…

In ancient times, roasted iris seeds were an expensive delicacy: they were used to make a drink similar to coffee.

Wintering iris. In the fall, after the first frosts (but not before!) cut the foliage to a height of 15-20 cm: in many modern varieties, powerful leaves and peduncles do not have time to rot over the winter, and in the spring it will be difficult for new shoots to break through last year’s straw. It is advisable to additionally mulch and hill up the plantings of new varieties.

Iris transplant. Siberian iris bushes grow quite actively and always bloom profusely, although they do not need to be divided for regular flowering. Over time, they grow into huge clumps with a diameter of up to 2.5 m and can bloom even at the age of 25.

Reproduction of Siberian iris

New varieties of Siberian irises are propagated only by cuttings of rhizomes 1.5 months after flowering, in the second or third decade of August. At this time, the irises begin to grow new roots, and before the onset of cold weather the plant will have time to take root well. As a last resort, you can divide the irises in the spring, at the very beginning of the growing season. Before digging, shorten the leaves, leaving 10-15 cm from the base . When dividing, it is preferable to break the rhizome rather than cut it. A good division should have at least three fans of leaves and a dense rhizome without any traces of rot. If the planting material is too dry, it should be soaked in water for several days. Add a couple of drops of Ecosil to the water. It is almost impossible to save a damaged section.

Among the herbaceous perennials there are many easy-to-care flowers, one of which is Siberian iris. It does not have very large inflorescences, but it is so elegant and unpretentious in the garden that it can be safely recommended even to novice gardeners. Let's look at the features of agricultural technology for growing Siberian irises, dwell a little on its modern varieties and hybrids, as well as on its use in garden design.

Siberian iris: description and varieties

Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) belongs to the so-called beardless irises of the Limniris group. They, unlike bearded irises, do not have a beard on the outer perianth lobes, although the structure of the flower is the same - three outer petals are lowered down and three inner ones are raised up, forming as if an unopened bud.

The rhizome of Siberian irises is thin, highly branched, and forms an extremely dense turf, which over time is difficult to cut even with a very sharp shovel. Winter hardiness due to the deep roots of Siberian irises is much higher than that of bearded irises. Very unpretentious, they can survive without transplantation for 7-10 years.

iris sibirica has thin, pointed leaves

The leaves are thin, linear, up to 80 cm long, pointed. As an adult, a very dense dark green bush is formed, which does not lose its decorative effect even after flowering, which also greatly distinguishes the Siberian iris and hybrids based on it from its bearded relatives. Bushes of faded irises, if their flower stalks are cut off, resemble clumps of cereals, so they can be easily combined with other herbaceous perennials in mixborders.

The stem leaves are small, the flower stalks reach 1 meter. There can be from 2 to 5 flowers on a peduncle. Therefore, their flowering is quite long: in Kazakhstan it usually begins at the very end of May and ends after June 20. Primary colors: blue-blue, blue-violet, light violet, creamy white and rarely pink and crimson.

Popular varieties of Siberian iris and its hybrids:

White – “Snow Qween”, “White Swirl”, “Double Play”, “Harpswell Snow”;
Blue – “Cambridge”, “Jiggles”, “Gatinea”, “Sea of Dreams”;
Purple – “Fialka”, “Royal Ensign”, “Kabluey”, “Three Hand Star”;
Pink and crimson - “Strawberry Faif”, “Lady Lilac”.

Siberian irises: planting and care, reproduction

Well-drained, organic-rich soils are suitable for planting Siberian irises. sunny areas. They cannot tolerate carbonate soils and require a slightly acidic soil reaction. If for bearded irises to bloom you need to leave thickened roots outside, then Siberian irises need a 7-8 cm deepening. For planting, prepare a hole 10 cm wider than the planting section, and the root system is completely buried.

It is better to divide and plant Siberian irises in early spring. Although, if you buy plants with a closed root system, they can be planted at any time during the growing season. Dividing overgrown clumps is quite difficult; male strength may be required. To do this, the entire bush is dug up with a large garden shovel, then cut into several sections.

It is under no circumstances necessary to dry the roots, as is customary for bearded irises, as they may die. The smallest division is a rhizome shoot with at least one bunch of leaves. You can also tear off a bunch of leaves with a heel and root them. The Siberian iris rooted in this way will bloom in the third year.

For discerning connoisseurs and collectors, propagating irises by seeds is not a burden. They remain viable for 2 years. They can be planted as seedlings in the spring, as well as directly into the ground in the fall. They will also bloom in the 3rd year after planting, as with heel propagation.

Siberian irises are more moisture-loving than bearded irises, but they do not need stagnant water. Therefore, they are not planted near drains, and the accumulation of flood waters is monitored. They are responsive to the addition of garden compost, but they should not add wood ash - they may stop blooming.

It is better not to cut off the foliage after flowering - there will not be enough nutrition to form flowering shoots for the next year. And there is no need to cut them off for the winter - the remaining tops will better retain the snow cover and prevent the roots from freezing. You can remove the withered leaves in the spring.

If you haven’t divided your iris bush for a long time, it is advisable to cover the roots with compost in the fall, otherwise the roots that stick out upward may begin to freeze. But still, don’t delay planting overgrown bushes.

Siberian iris - blooms in June

Siberian iris in landscape design

Siberian irises have a more subdued, calm color than the pompous bearded irises. The size of the flowers, their color and the habit of the plants themselves are much calmer and therefore graceful. Their thin foliage is beautiful all season long, so it does not require additional decoration even after flowering. They are good at anything flower arrangements:

can act as accents for Japanese gardens,
can be combined with many herbaceous plants in the mixborder,
can serve as an elegant border along the edge of a parking lot or along garden path,
can be used in solitary plantings on the lawn.

As you can see, Siberian irises can easily be attributed to unpretentious perennials: They do not need to be covered for the winter and do not require frequent division. These irises do not lose their decorative value after flowering, and they can be used in different styles flower beds when landscaping the garden. Good luck growing these undemanding flowers!

Iris sibirica L.

These irises are more modest compared to bearded ones. The range of their colors ranges from blue to pink, and yellow tones are rarely found in it.

But unlike the capricious southern varieties, Siberian irises are much hardier. They do not require winter protection from the cold, and this greatly facilitates work on the site. In addition, they are not affected by bacteriosis, and in general they are more resistant to disease.

How to distinguish Siberian irises from bearded ones? Firstly, the rhizomes of Siberian irises are thin, while those of bearded irises are wide, tuberously thickened. Secondly, the buds of Siberian irises are underground, while the buds of bearded irises are above the soil. If you get a blooming specimen, pay attention to the lower petals. Siberian irises do not have a shaggy beard at the base of the petal, but bearded irises do.

Varieties of Siberian irises usually have more small flowers than those with beards. They are partly suitable for cutting, but it is better to use them in landscape design. Siberian irises are indispensable for damp (but not swampy!) areas where bearded irises will not feel well.

The only difference in care for Siberian irises is in planting: divisions are planted so that the rhizome is buried 5-10 cm into the soil. Apparently, it is the underground rhizome that provides good winter hardiness.

In addition to wild ones, you can grow varietal Siberian irises in the garden, which are richer in color and have flowers with a harder texture and larger size. Siberian irises cannot tolerate drying out of roots and rhizomes during transportation and are often affected by onion root mite. All this hinders the spread of varietal Siberian irises. Nevertheless, the market is already offering old, proven varieties, such as “Sparkling Rose” with lilac-pink flowers and unassuming flowers. In the "White Swirl" variety, the edges of the tepals are folded in the shape of wide waves, and the bright yellow signal emphasizes the snow-white hue of the "petals" and stigmas. The Siberian iris flower "Ruffled Velvet" has a more modern, "floating" shape with horizontal foils. Their surface is truly velvety, with a deep blue-violet tone. The serrated blades of the stigma are a separate decoration of the flower. "Pink Haze" has a pastel pink-lilac color, so light that it creates a glow or haze effect. The tepals are wavy folded, the follicles tend, but do not reach the horizontal. All these varieties have proven themselves well in the climatic conditions of the middle zone.

The feeding schedule is the same as for bearded irises. You can add urea to the melted snow, and you can omit dusting the soil with ash.

In general, Siberian irises are more moisture-loving; in hot summers they benefit from watering. They respond well to mulching.

Siberian irises are the hardiest of all irises. Unlike their capricious bearded relatives, these unassuming handsome men stoically endure the January cold and August heat. Siberian irises are not afraid of frosts, icy winds, cold rains and dry winds, and therefore they can grow in open ground for decades without the slightest human intervention. After planting, “Siberians” do not need specific care, but if you feed their bushes a little at the stage of bud formation, they will bloom especially luxuriantly. The corollas of Siberian irises are distinguished by their refined shape and elegance of color, but, unfortunately, their lifespan is short-lived. To prolong the holiday of iris flowering, several species of these plants can be planted on the site, fortunately, modern varieties of Siberian iris (photos and descriptions of which can be found in floriculture reference books) differ from each other not only in the color and size of the corollas, but also in the timing of the buds blooming.

Siberian irises: general description

Siberian irises are rather tall (from 0.6 to 1.2 m tall) herbaceous perennials with hard, narrow and long lanceolate leaves.

Siberian irises can grow in one place for decades

The variability of colors of Siberian iris buds is very large. The exquisitely refined corollas of these plants can be painted in milky white, lavender, lilac, purple, pale yellow, wine pink, mustard, azure or deep violet, and often these colors are not present on the petals pure form, but are combined with each other in various combinations.

The flowers of Siberian irises are generally smaller than the flowers of bearded garden irises, but unlike the latter, much more of them are formed on the bushes.

On average, 6-9 buds are formed on each peduncle of the Siberian iris, and there are about two to three dozen such peduncles on the plant. Moreover, depending on the variety, of which there are more than two hundred today, the buds on the clumps can bloom almost simultaneously or alternately.

Siberian irises are constantly growing in width

Features of agricultural technology of Siberian irises

Siberian irises are one of the most “long-lasting” garden flowers. Siberian killer whales do not require regular rejuvenation and do not need annual transplants. Once planted in a flowerbed, the rhizomes of Siberian irises eventually form powerful clumps that bloom tirelessly for one, two, or even three decades.

Attention! Siberian killer whales tirelessly grow in width - in the eighth to tenth year of life, the diameter of some of their clumps can exceed two meters. This specific feature of irises must certainly be taken into account when choosing a place for planting them.

Almost all existing varieties of Siberian irises are hybrids, so plants grown by “self-sowing” or grown from seeds collected with one’s own hands, as a rule, do not correspond to the characteristics of the variety and differ from the original parent forms for the worse.

Attention! Unlike most other garden flowers, only one propagation method is applicable for Siberian irises, namely, by dividing the rhizomes of adult plants.

Siberian irises reproduce by dividing rhizomes

Choosing a site for planting Siberian irises

As already mentioned, “Siberians” are very unpretentious, and therefore are capable of growing on almost any soil that is not devoid of fertility, but still, if there is such an opportunity, it is better to plant them in areas with loose, slightly acidic or neutral soil. The optimal soil for Siberian irises is light, containing a large number of humus, well aerated and drained loam.

If high-quality composition and soil structure do not have a significant effect on the growth of irises, then the lack of light seriously affects their development. Orcas are very light-loving. In dense shade, of course, they do not die, but they categorically refuse to bloom. To admire the abundantly blooming irises in the spring, you need to plant them in the sunniest flower bed.

Siberian irises are unpretentious to grow

Landing rules

Iris rhizomes can be dug up and divided a month after the end of flowering (i.e. at the end of July), but usually Siberian irises are planted somewhat later than this, namely in the second half of August or September.
The soil in the flower bed intended for planting iris is carefully weeded, filled with compost and dug deep.
All leaves on the mother iris bush are shortened by 2/3, and then dug out of the ground.
The rhizome of the clump is lightly shaken off lumps of soil and cut into sections containing 3-4 leaf rosettes with a sharp sterile knife.
Fresh, oozing sections are generously sprinkled with crushed charcoal and after drying for an hour in the breeze, the cuttings are immersed in holes previously dug for them.
Unlike the rhizomes of bearded irises, which literally spread along the surface of the flower beds, the roots of Siberians prefer to grow at depth, so the planted sections are covered with a 5-6 centimeter layer of soil.

The clumps of Siberian iris grow greatly, so the holes for planting the rhizomes of these beauties are dug at a distance of 0.7-1 m from one another.

Advice. To restore turgor and improve survival rate, store-bought and therefore slightly dried iris rhizomes should be soaked in a bucket of cool water for a day before planting.

You can plant irises at the end of July, after flowering.

Caring for Siberian irises

Iris rhizomes love cool weather, so immediately after planting (and then regularly throughout the growing season), the ground around the iris bushes is mulched with peat or pine needles;
plants that have not yet taken root are often watered little by little; watering of mature powerful clumps is carried out only during a long drought;
twice a season, immediately after the snow melts and when flower stalks are thrown out, irises are fed with potassium nitrate;
in order to prevent Siberian beauties from wasting their energy on ripening useless seeds that no one needs, the seed pods are cut off from them immediately after their formation;
in late autumn, all the leaves of the irises are cut off, leaving only ten-centimeter stumps.

Iris leaves need to be cut off for the winter.

Siberian irises are cute, unpretentious plants that respond gratefully to the slightest manifestations of care for them. Even with the most minimal care, these charming creations of nature will delight you with their magnificent lush blooms every year.

Reproduction of Siberian irises - video

Siberian irises - photo

Irises do not leave almost any gardener indifferent. Particularly loved are those of various sizes and colors.

Many gardeners in the Irkutsk region have heard or even seen with their own eyes the wonderful Iris garden on Lake Baikal, created by Nikolai Nikolaevich Osipenko. His large collection of wonderful bearded irises is amazing!
I immediately want to create at least a small semblance of the multi-colored splendor of irises in my garden. I did not escape this temptation either.
But I want to say right away that my attempts to acclimatize bearded irises in Angarsk in the overwhelming majority of cases failed.

Over the course of 10 years, I tried about 50 varieties of bearded irises, but only three of them turned out to be quite winter-hardy in our difficult conditions (in the Savvateevka area). These are the yellow-burgundy variety "Fro", the yellow-flowered "Coronation" and the blue "Blue Shimmer".
And, of course, my regular blue iris blooms successfully.

It didn’t work out with bearded irises, but irises still grow in my Siberian garden.
I was convinced that the champions in unpretentiousness, winter hardiness, and disease resistance are the plants united in a group called “Siberian irises.”

Unlike bearded irises, Siberian irises do not have a beard, so they are usually called beardless.

Siberian irises in the garden and in a bouquet

Siberian irises are no less beautiful than bearded ones. Many varieties of Siberian iris have been bred from different colors graceful flowers.

In nature, iris grows in damp places Therefore, this plant can be planted in the garden.
Also, Siberian irises grow successfully, although not on the most fertile soil.
Siberian iris can also grow in an open sunny place, with rare watering in dry summers, but then the height of the plant will be slightly lower.

IN favorable conditions The flower stalks of Siberian irises reach a height of more than a meter. In total there are 3-6 flowers on the peduncle. And each “Siberian” flower lasts a long time, 4-5 days - this is twice as long as that of bearded irises.

Siberian iris flowers stand very well as cut flowers. It is better to cut flower stalks at the stage of the half-open first bud.

The Siberian iris bush is very beautiful in the garden from spring to late autumn. From afar, the fountain of its beautifully curving narrow leaves attracts attention. At the beginning of summer, large graceful flowers hover above them at a height of 0.6-1.5 m.

The natural color of Siberian iris flowers varies from blue to purple.

Thanks to the efforts of American breeders, today there are about 1000 varieties of Siberian irises with a variety of flower colors to suit every taste. The snow-white beauty “Snow Queen” (“Snow Queen”), and “Lavender Beauty” (“Lavender Beauty”), and the yellow “Butts and Sugar”, and the crimson “Seal Velvit”, and many other varieties are also good.

The only drawback of Siberian irises is the lack of scent in the charming flowers. But is this such a significant disadvantage? After all, many of our favorite forest flowers - frying lilies (), lilies, columbine lilies () - have no smell. Nevertheless, we love these plants and do not consider the lack of smell a disadvantage.
Let this circumstance be (and is now!) a problem for breeders who are faced with the task of breeding fragrant Siberian irises.

Growing and propagating Siberian irises

Siberian irises are wind-resistant, so they do not need a garter.

Siberian iris bushes can stay in one place for a very long time. For example, the very first two bushes of specific Siberian irises have been growing in my garden for 10 years without replanting. Only every year I add soil to the base of the bushes so that their roots are not exposed, since the bush grows upward and turns into a kind of “bump.”

To propagate Siberian iris, you can dig up a bush after flowering or in the fall and divide it into sections.
The roots of Siberian irises are thin and cord-like. Old bushes divide very poorly, so you have to cut off part of the bush with a sharp shovel.

I trim old foliage from Siberian iris bushes in the fall or early spring, before new leaves grow.

Siberian irises never suffer from bacteriosis, which is a real scourge for bearded irises.

Plant Siberian irises in your garden, and these wonderful, trouble-free plants will definitely become your favorites.

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