supporter and family who visitmy gardenwhen the Iris in rosiness , often cry , “ Are n’t these colorful ! What type of Iris are they ? ” They are come to to the Siberian Irises , which are found in long drifts above the bog garden itinerary . Apparently , for all their elegant beauty , with flowers poised like resting butterflies on marvelous , reed - comparable stems , they are not genuinely known to the median gardener .
Many clip in recent year I question if this type of Iris obtains all the tending it merit . Not only are Siberians unsurpassed for fragile beauty when plantedenrnasse , but single clumps of them make first-class companion plant in the recurrent border . They flower at the same clock time as the marvelous whiskery varieties but for the most part are at their efflorescence just -after- the latter has passed the height of ’ flush . When established they necessitate less attending than almost any other perennial , and are virtually destitute from disease or insect trouble and make charming cutting flowers . The original Siberian Irises derive from Central Europe and Asia , where they grew as meadow plants . The present - day hybrids will do well in almost any type of grunge , whether it is clayey or sandy , bring home the bacon adequate amounts of hommos are mixed into the soil and the drainage is good .
While they are not pee loving ( like the Nipponese case ) they will brook water supply good than Bearded Iris , and therefore can be used equally well in dry spots or beside pond or bogs . They thrive considerably in full Sun .
The favorite meter for plant Siberians is late September . Where potential , it is better to buy small glob or variance of ’ about five sets of parting each rather than single roots . These Irises resent being move , and if the subsection are too modest they want considerable time to become established and may not blossom until the second or third year after planting . If the divisions , which you receive from a nursery , are very small , plant three or more of them , not more than two or three inches apart so that they will quickly constitute a clump . When planting Siberian Irises , always keep in judgment that they show off to better vantage if left undisturbed for five or six years , so be careful to select the best point for them before planting .
The roots of these iris diaphragm are foresighted and unchewable , resemble those of other types of perennial rather than those of Irises . Accordingly , the roots must not be appropriate to dry out at the sentence of planting . Be certain the hole is deep enough so that the roots can be spread out and the soil steadfastly packed around them to give anchorage . To minimize heave , it is advisable the first winter to cover the new set plant with light material , such as barque or some case of local mulch .
Early in the saltation , the old withered foliation on established clump of Siberians should be take away quick by cut it off close to the ground . This is quite necessary to give the unseasoned foliage a prospect to make its ontogeny .
Be sure that the clump is keep free of weeds .
Otherwise , grasses -particularly Crabgrass may get a foothold right in the thick of a clod of Siberians , expire unnoticed for a time , and easily become so firmly entrenched that it is heavy to take away them without mutilating the clunk . To aid older clumps maintain their vigorous growth , a top - dressing of compost and manure may be apply in the spring or after unfolding . Donot use lime . Siberians prefer a impersonal or slightly acid environment .
Because relatively trivial cross has been done with Siberian Iris , there are not the many varieties to opt from at the local baby’s room than there are in other type of Irises . The range of colors , up to the present metre , is more or less modified to various shade of drab and purple , bloodless and purplish red . For the most part , these are cool , crisp , unclouded - cut colour much take in the garden . Most of the forward-looking varieties can be obtained for a 15 dollars or less , and it is good to buy three or more of one variety in club to make an effective clump . A good collection can be made up of the survey varieties :
MABEL CODAY – cock culture medium blue with white signal
ERIC THE RED - Wine coloring material , the closest glide slope to red .
CAESAR ’S BROTHER handsome abstruse purple , marvelous and startling .
SNOW QUEEN – Crisp white collected physical body of I. sanguinea import from Japan in 1900 .
LADY genus Vanessa – Ruffled ruddy - reddish blue falls standards and styles light wine - cherry . White signals . .
TEALWOOD – blaze up velvet purpleness , narrow just leaf .
HELEN ASTOR -bright mauve pinko .
by F. W. Cassebeer
