There are over 280 species of Irises in the world, with the majority being native to Europe and Asia. Here, we’ll narrow that list down to 15 varieties of Siberian Iris that are perfect for your garden! These varieties are low maintenance, produce stunning blooms, and are drought-tolerant once established.
Irises do prefer a full sun location with well-draining soil to thrive. The flowering stem will need to be cut back or deadheaded once the bloom has died back, but other than that, they are relatively maintenance-free! Siberian irises are hardy perennials that will come back and spread via rhizomes year after year. Be sure to leave 2-3 feet between plantings to give them space to spread!
Plant irises in late summer or early fall, depending on your climate. In places with cold winters, you want to get them into the ground in late summer to allow the rhizomes enough time to form roots and get established before the ground freezes. In areas with mild winters, you can wait until later in the fall to get them in the ground. These irises will survive in USDA growing zones 2-8 and tolerate temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
The standard Siberian irises are known for their beautiful bright blue-violet blooms, but many varieties have since emerged in a wide range of colors. Siberian irises generally have thin, grass-like leaves, as opposed to the thicker fronds of other types of iris.
Siberian irises tend to bloom before Japanese irises and after bearded irises, so you can mix and match different types in your garden to have irises blooming all summer long!
Butter and Sugar
This iris is white with yellow falls, blooms in June, and thrives in full or partial sun.
 | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Butter and Sugar’ |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun |
 | height 2 feet |
 | hardiness zones 3-9 |
As its name would suggest, this iris is white with buttery yellow falls. This Siberian iris will begin blooming in June, and while most irises only bloom once, this variety has been known to rebloom when deadheaded.
This variety does best in full sun but can also tolerate partial sunlight. ‘Butter and Sugar’ will provide a wonderful white backdrop for other flowers in your garden. When the flowers die back, the delicate, grassy, blue-green foliage will remain until regular frosts set in during the fall and winter.
Black Flowered Siberian Iris
This exceptional black iris with velvety petals is a rare and striking addition to your garden.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Black Joker’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
This stunning black iris is one of the most unique varieties around. Black flowers in nature are few and far between. Adding this flower to your garden adds an interesting and unique color. The petals appear as smooth black velvet.
As noted above, this variety can be reliably grown in USDA growing zones 3-8 and is notably cold hardy, so much so that it prefers cooler climates rather than warmer climates. These beautiful blooms make a great border for a perennial flower garden.
Caesar’s Brother
‘Caesar’s Brother’ features deep purple petals with white and black veining.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Caesar’s Brother’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This variety produces deep purple petals with a white blaze and black veining. ‘Caesar’s Brother’ is one of the oldest Siberian irises available. This variety has a mature size of three feet tall and up to two to three feet wide.
‘Caesar’s Brother’ grows quickly, which makes it a great choice if you want to get a mature and full iris patch established sooner rather than later. Be sure to plant bare roots at least two feet apart because they will quickly fill in!
Miss Apple
A standout iris, ‘Miss Apple’ is reddish-purple and magenta with gold markings.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Miss Apple’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
‘Miss Apple’ is close to apple red but with other colors that make it a standout in your iris garden. It’s a beautiful combination of reddish-purple and magenta with gold markings. They will begin blooming in late spring into the early summer.
This easy-to-grow variety actually prefers moist soils and does well as a border plant around a pond, along a stream, or near another water feature. Their tall, thin green foliage and reddish flowers give a similar appearance to that of cattails, especially when planted alongside a stream.
Blueberry Fair
This indigo Siberian iris has a classic blue color with ruffled flowers and forms clumps that expand each year.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Blueberry Fair’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
This vibrant indigo variety is reminiscent of the color blue that comes to mind when you think of the standard wild Siberian iris. The ruffled flowers add another layer of beauty as well. It is not as showy as a German or bearded iris, but these delicate blue blooms are still very beautiful in their own right!
Each branch will have 3-4 buds each. This clump-forming perennial will come back thicker and fill in more space each year.
Snow Queen
The pure white flowers and blue-green foliage of ‘Snow Queen’ are beautiful in the garden.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Snow Queen’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
‘Snow Queen’ has a similar appearance to ‘Butter and Sugar’ with white flowers and yellow accents. These white flowers sit on top of equally beautiful blue-green foliage.
This is another variety that is known to rebloom. Cut back the first round of flowers as they begin to fade, and you can get a second round for late summer! Like most of the above-mentioned Siberian irises, this variety grows in clumps and will spread over time.
Sugar Rush
This variety features watermelon pink falls with gold accents and retains green foliage after blooming.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Sugar Rush’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This is the perfect pastel flower for those who love the color pink. It showcases watermelon pink falls with gold accents. Once the flowers die back, the upright, grassy foliage will remain for the rest of the season.
This variety is more compact, with a mature size of two feet tall and one to two feet wide. It makes a great perennial border plant at the front side of your garden, allowing you to place taller plants behind it.
White Swirl
‘White Swirl’ has ivory-white ruffled flowers with yellow throats and is adaptable to various soil types.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘White Swirl’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 24-36 inches tall |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
This variety produces ivory white, rounded, ruffled flowers with yellow throats. ‘White Swirl’ is highly adaptable and can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay soil and wet soil. It will also tolerate partial shade conditions but may produce fewer flowers than when it is planted in a full-sun location.
Like most irises, it is drought-tolerant once established, but this variety is especially tolerant of prolonged periods of drought. It is also deer and rabbit-resistant. These stunning flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Silver Edge
‘Silver Edge’ has sky-blue flowers with silver edges.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Silver Edge’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 24-30 inches tall |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
This is another classic blue variety but with a silver lining around the edges of the sky-blue flowers. ‘Silver Edge’ is a little less heat-tolerant than the others and can be grown in USDA growing zones 3-8 with a mature height of 30 inches and a spread of two feet.
They will grow in clumps and can be divided if you’d like to spread them around your garden, although this is not necessary as they prefer to grow in clumps.
Sunfisher
With its sunny yellow look, ‘Sunfisher’ is a cheerful garden addition.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Sunfisher’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 28 inches |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
‘Sunfisher’ has a beautiful sunny yellow appearance. The center of the bloom is a light yellow with darker yellow falls. This variety can handle higher moisture areas.
Like most irises, they prefer full sun, but in hot climates, they can benefit from afternoon shade. This variety is very adaptable and will tolerate a wide range of soil types and conditions.
Ruffled Velvet
This variety prefers warmer climates, features deep blue ruffled velvet-like blooms, and thrives in slightly acidic soil.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Ruffled Velvet’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-9 |
This variety is slightly less cold-hardy than others and prefers warmer climates. As its name would suggest, it produces deep blue ruffled blooms that resemble thick velvet. ‘Ruffled Velvet,’ in particular, prefers slightly acidic soil. This is a great option for gardeners in a more southern climate.
So Van Gogh
Unique among Siberian irises with a “Starry Night” appearance, ‘So Van Gogh’ is a great choice for cut flowers.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘So Van Gogh’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 30 inches |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This variety is unique amongst Siberian irises, with a blue center and yellow falls. It looks as though it’s right out of the famous Van Gogh painting, “The Starry Night.” This variety makes especially beautiful cut flowers, though all irises can be used for cut flower purposes!
Concord Crush
‘Concord Crush’ stands out with violet-blue double blooms, lending a regal touch to gardens with its purplish hue.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Concord Crush’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 24-30 inches tall |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This ruffled variety produces violet-blue-purplish double blooms. This is definitely a standout in the iris garden or any garden in general! Slightly more purple than blue, you can see where this iris gets its name. It adds a very regal feel to your flower beds.
Painted Desert
This early-blooming, sought-after violet-blue Siberian iris flowers from late spring to early summer.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Painted Desert’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
This is an early-blooming variety that begins blooming in late spring and into early summer. The stunning violet-blue color is sought after amongst Siberian iris aficionados. The delicate papery blooms will flower from May and into June in most zones.
Peacock Butterfly Siberian Iris Mixture
Consider growing a mix of Siberian irises with the Peacock Butterfly mixture for a variety of colors and textures in your patch.
| | botanical name Iris sibirica ‘Peacock Butterfly’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 22-36 inches |
| | hardiness zones 3-9 |
If you can’t decide which variety to grow, then consider growing a mixture of Siberian irises! The Peacock Butterfly Siberian iris mixture comprises irises that include colors like blue, yellow, purple, pink, and magenta. This will give you a lovely mix of colors and textures in your Siberian iris patch.
Final Thoughts
No matter which variety you choose, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms that will fill in and spread year after year! Siberian irises can even be dug up and divided to spread around to other areas of the garden. Alternatively, they can be given away as gifts to neighbors or other gardeners in your life! They are the delicate counterpart to the bearded iris with smaller flowers and grass-like foliage, but they are equally as beautiful, low maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established. Well worth a spot in your perennial flower garden!
