Plant of the Week!

Two weeks ago we discussed the Bearded Iris, but this week it's all about the Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica). Siberian iris looks quite different with its fine textured strap like leaves as opposed to the fan like foliage of the bearded iris. Without flowers, the plant looks like a nice mound of grasslike foliage.

Siberian irises are blooming right now from late May to June with their typical iris blue, purple, white, or yellow flowers. The beardless flowers of the Siberian iris are smaller and more delicate than those of the bearded iris.

The great thing about the Siberian iris is its tolerance of wet sites. It will do well in moist, well-drained soils in sun to light shade, but is a great perennial for the moist areas of the garden that other perennials will not grow in.

Siberian iris is really a great dependable plant for the garden that's not bothered by some of the other common iris pests and doesn't require the frequent division of the bearded iris.

Learn more about the Siberian Iris here: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=732&PlantTypeID=2