Siberian iris Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' (Sib)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' is a striking flowering plant that is a delight to behold. This particular variety of iris features showy blossoms that are known for their captivating beauty. Each flower consists of delicate petals that display a lovely gradient of colors, often ranging from soft pastels to deeper, vivid hues. The flowers are composed of both falls and standards, which are the typical formations for iris blooms. The falls are the lower petals that hang down or flare out, often showcasing contrasting colors or intricate veining patterns. The standards are the upright petals that provide a regal posture and structure to each bloom. This variety of iris is recognized for its sword-like foliage, which is bright green and grows in dense clumps. The leaves emerge from the base of the plant, reaching upward and sometimes arching gracefully. They create a lush background that complements and accentuates the beauty of the flowers. Overall, Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' has a distinguished and elegant appearance synonymous with the unique charm of irises. With its abundant and colorful flowers rising above the verdant foliage, it is a standout plant that brings dramatic flair to any garden setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Siberian Iris, Bournemouth Beauty Siberian Iris
- Common names
  Iris sibirica 'Bournemouth Beauty'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Siberian iris, Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty', like other irises, contains irisin, iridin, or irisine, which are substances that can cause stomach upset if ingested. The rhizomes are particularly more toxic than the foliage. If a person consumes parts of a Siberian iris, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Contact with the sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. It is important to handle plants with care and ensure that children do not ingest any part of the plant.
- To pets
  The Siberian iris may also be toxic to pets if ingested. The plant contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation. If a pet, such as a dog or cat, eats part of a Siberian iris, particularly the rhizomes, they might experience symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. As pets can sometimes chew on plants, it's advisable to keep Siberian irises out of reach to prevent any potential poisoning.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: The Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' adds aesthetic value to gardens with its striking flowers and attractive foliage.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Provides nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, this iris variety generally requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Capable of withstanding periods without water, which is beneficial in regions with water restrictions or dry climates.
- Cold Hardy: Can survive in colder climates, making it a suitable choice for gardens in cooler regions.
- Soil Adaptability: Tolerates a range of soil types, though it thrives in well-draining conditions, giving flexibility in garden design.
- Long Blooming Period: Offers a prolonged display of flowers, contributing to the garden's visual interest for an extended time.
- Divisibility: Can be divided to propagate new plants, making it cost-effective and allowing gardeners to expand their collection.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' can be utilized as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors from yellows to purples depending on the part of the plant used and mordants involved.
- These irises can serve as a muse for artists and photographers, offering striking subjects with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
- The sturdy leaves of Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' can be woven into small baskets or used in other traditional crafting techniques.
- The flower petals of the Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' can be used in potpourri mixes, adding a visual element to the scents.
- The plant can be part of a rain garden as they are tolerant of wet conditions and can help in water filtration and stormwater management.
- Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' can be used in educational settings to teach botany and plant hybridization due to their distinct genetic traits.
- As an edible flower, Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' petals can be crystallized or used fresh as a decorative and edible garnish in salads and desserts.
- The plant's rhizomes can be used in perfumery, not for Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' in particular, but similar species can provide an earthy aroma base note.
- In landscape design, Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' can create a 'Monet effect' replicating the style of the painter's famous water lily ponds in a garden setting.
- The seed pods of irises can be dried and used in decorative arrangements or as part of environmentally-friendly floral displays.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope - The iris is often seen as a symbol of hope, representing belief in better things to come.
- Trust - Its stately presence can signify trust, conveying loyalty and faith between individuals.
- Wisdom - Given its association with the Greek goddess Iris, messengers of the gods, the iris can embody wisdom and valued knowledge.
- Courage - Due to its hardiness and ability to bloom boldly, the iris often symbolizes courage and admiration for someone's bravery.
- Royalty - With its regal appearance and history of being featured in royal emblems, the iris can symbolize royalty and regal bearing.

💧

Every 2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every third year

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer-early fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Siberian iris should be watered deeply once a week, providing about an inch of water each time. During the growing season, especially in the absence of rainfall, you may need to water more frequently to maintain consistent soil moisture. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. For mature plants, this usually translates to about 1.5 gallons per week, depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions. It is important to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
Light
Siberian iris thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot is where they can receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. However, in extremely hot climates, they appreciate some afternoon shade to protect them from the intense heat of the late day sun.
Temperature
Siberian iris prefers a temperature range between 30°F and 85°F. They are cold-hardy and can survive winter temperatures down to -40°F. The ideal growing conditions for Siberian iris are in climates where the temperatures are between 50°F and 75°F during the growing season.
Pruning
Prune Siberian iris to remove any dead or damaged foliage and to tidy up the plant after blooming. The best time to prune is late summer or early fall, after the blooming period is over. Pruning helps to encourage healthy growth and can prevent disease by improving air circulation around the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Siberian Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' prefers well-drained, rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.5-7.0. A mix with good organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure will enhance growth. Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Repotting
Siberian Irises like 'Bournemouth Beauty' typically do not require frequent repotting. They should be repotted or divided every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigor and to prevent overcrowding in the garden.
Humidity & Misting
Siberian Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' is not particularly humidity-sensitive and can thrive in the average outdoor humidity levels typical of temperate climates.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light; ensure soil drainage.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade, ensure moist soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
The life of an Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty' typically begins as a perennial rhizome, a form of underground stem adapted for storage and vegetative reproduction. Once planted, it enters a germination stage in late winter to early spring, where new growth emerges from the rhizome. This is followed by a vegetative stage where sword-like leaves develop and the plant grows in size. The flowering stage occurs in late spring to early summer, producing large, showy flowers characteristic of Siberian irises. After pollination, the plant may produce seeds in a capsule, although propagation is more commonly done by dividing the rhizomes. The plant then enters a dormancy period in late autumn to winter, where above-ground foliage dies back, and the rhizome survives underground until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer-early fall
- Iris 'Bournemouth Beauty', also known as Siberian Iris, is typically propagated by dividing the rhizomes, which is the most popular method. This process is best carried out in late summer, after the blooming period, when the plant starts to go dormant. To propagate, carefully dig up the clumps of rhizomes and gently separate them, ensuring that each section has a few healthy leaves and a portion of the roots. Trimming the leaves to about a third of their original height is advised to reduce stress on the plant. The divisions should then be replanted promptly, at the same depth they were originally growing, and spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart (45 to 60 centimeters), to allow enough room for growth. Watering the new divisions thoroughly helps to settle the soil around the roots and supports the establishment of the plants in their new locations.