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A good year for Siberian Iris?

aachenelf z5 Mpls

9 years ago

I don't remember a year when this Siberian Iris bloomed so nicely. Maybe our nice, cool, wet spring or the dash of 10 10 10 fertilizer I gave it this year? I don't normally fertilize, but I found a partial bag of the stuff in the basement and decided to use it up.

This clump isn't very large - maybe 2 feet across. I tend to divide these often because I don't have the room for massive things. Luckily the foliage on this one stays decent even in midsummer.

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'Sparkling Rose' is an older variety registered in 1967. To be honest, I really haven't followed the newer hybrids. I have four clumps of Siberians and all of them are pretty ancient. Kind of like peonies, when they bloom I can't imagine a prettier flower, but once done I forget about them the rest of the year. Are the newer ones better?

Kevin

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Comments (9)

ryseryse_2004
9 years ago
Yes - mine are especially prolific this year. Maybe the cold winter or cool spring has something to do with it. I just wish the blooms stayed longer but the foliage is lovely all season.
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duluthinbloomz4
9 years ago
I've got Caesar's Brother and Snow Queen. The dark velvet blue of Caesar's is about my favorite. Not blooming up here yet. I do like that Sparkling Rose - I've got a spot or two for that color.

I give my extra divisions to my brother in Woodbury and they've done real well for him too.
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I found the same thing at Costco. The have packaged Louisiana Iris and Siberian irises for sale. I'm sure they will grow since they are packaged correctly, but the problem I had was the pictures on one of the Bags, you were to get 3 red La (Rhett and 3 white one, name escapes me now). The Rhett pic was correct but the white La. pic was a pic of a Siberian!!!!! 3 years ago on impluse I bought a bag of ranuculous, figuring if they turned out poor, I would dump them, but they turnout outstanding, full double dwarf strain, consistent 100 bulbs. So being so lulled away, I bought 4 bags of different calla lilies.....well. few turned out right: some where obivious culls and the bag that was suppose to be 3 whites & 3 blacks, turned out 3 yellows and 3 sort of bronzy ones. Wisely I kept my receipt and bags and was given a full refund. The clerk inquired, "didn't they grow" Of course they grew, how else would I know they were not what they were suppose to be! He quickly processed a refund.
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Rhizomes should be planted 1-3" deep, but after three years in the ground, they would most likely have adjusted their own planting depth anyway. Sibs perform best with at least 6 hrs of direct sun a day, ample water in spring before bloom, mulch, and a rich, acid soil. Like beardeds, some Sibs take a long time to settle in before they resume their regular bloom cycle. Just this morning I had a bearded iris bloom for the first time since I planted it in 1999! Unless you are growing your Sib in too much shade or in alkaline soil or with some other obvious cultural problem that can only be corrected by moving the plant, don't move it until it blooms. Sibs resent transplantation. Each time you dig and relocate it, you'll set it back and delay bloom again. Laurie
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Siberians are tough as nails. Although conventional wisdom usually dictates fall, I've never had a failure doing it any time the need to arose. Been an unusually cold and wet spring, first days of summer here, too, and the Siberians are still blooming. I'd at least wait until the blooming's over if that's the case with yours, too... and cut down the stalks and trim back the foliage a bit to make digging up, handling, and dividing easier. Be sure to have a sharp shovel - I've occasionaly had to separate a big clump of them with a pruning saw. Prepare their new spot in advance and water them in.
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It's too late in the season to be planting Sibs here in MN, but there are a number of Sib growers who sell in the spring. If you want to purchase Sibs next spring, here's a list of growers who can accommodate you: Aitken's EZ Plant Joe Pye Weed's Plantaholic Nursery Ensata Gardens AllThings Iris (limited varieties available for spring shipment) Sans Souci (I think) Eartheart Gardens Fieldstone Gardens The Iris Gallery (limited varieties available for spring shipment) Fox Brook Iris Farm Mountain River Flower Farm Borglum's Iris Garden Wildwood Gardens There are other fine Sib growers who sell only later in the summer and will not do spring sales. Laurie
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
9 years ago
I have six, 'Dark Desire', 'Dreaming Yellow', Looks Mohrish', 'Super Ego' and 'Seneca Glacier Flow' all outdid themselves this year. 'Contrast in Styles' is new, hoping for blooms next year.

Annette
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User
9 years ago
some NOID of mine at allotment
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gardenweed_z6a
9 years ago
Yes it has been a good year for them. I have quite a few clumps of seed-grown plants that are just spectacular. Sorry--can't post pics at the moment. I'm disappointed the blooms don't last longer but they're such a welcome blast of color early in the season, they're well worth growing.
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sara82lee
9 years ago
I divided mine last year, and I swear this year they are even bigger than they were before I divided them. My back hurts just thinking about it - I really need to dig them up again and give most of it away.

I wonder if the winter had anything to do with this?
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mxk3 z5b_MI
9 years ago
I started with new plants last fall -- my old ones were very large clumps, I tried to divide but they just didn't look great so I decided to start fresh during the end-of-season blowout sales. They are gorgeous this year! I have Ceasar's Brother, that rich, deep purple is so stately and regal, I just love it!
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katob Z6ish, NE Pa
9 years ago
I always thought plants like iris start to set themselves up for blooming the year before, so maybe it was a good summer/autumn for iris last year? Mine are doing ok but I think drought last year gave them a rough time. The old standbys still put on a great show though.
I would add some of the newer ones but their short season of bloom makes me think twice. Maybe I need to try a couple that are listed as having 4-5 blooms per stalk, that should last longer than all my old 2-3 per stalk bloomers, right?
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aachenelf z5 Mpls
Original Author
9 years ago
I've been Googling images of the ones you guys mentioned - some nice ones there!

It's interesting to hear others are experiencing what I am. Who knows what the reason is. Kato - I guess I always thought the same as you - that the previous seasons growing conditions is a huge indicator of what happens the next year, but for me at least their seems to be something else going on this year. We were under drought conditions last year too. Add to that the terrible heat and it was a pretty miserable growing season.

This year, the garden has never looked better.

Kevin
0

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