Siberian Iris Iris 'Perry's Blue' (Sib)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Perry's Blue' is a captivating perennial plant that showcases elegant flowers with a striking color palette. The blooms are a serene shade of light blue that may almost seem silvery in certain lights, creating an ethereal and soothing presence in the garden. Each flower consists of three upright petals, known as standards, and three downward-curving petals called falls, which is characteristic of irises. The standards rise gracefully from the center of the flower, while the falls cascade gently downward, often displaying a delicate veining or textural pattern that adds to the visual intrigue. In the middle of each fall, there's typically a noticeable splash of a deeper blue or purple, known as the "beard," which adds an eye-catching contrast to the lighter petals. The foliage of Iris 'Perry's Blue' resembles long, slender, sword-like leaves that fan out from the base, providing a lush, green backdrop that complements the light blue flowers. The leaves have a slightly arching habit, giving the plant a graceful and naturalistic presence in the landscape. Overall, Iris 'Perry's Blue' has a harmonious appearance, with its beautiful blue flowers and slender, pointed leaves creating a display that captures the essence of the iris family's elegance.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Siberian Iris, Perry's Blue Siberian Iris
- Common names
  Iris sibirica 'Perry's Blue'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Siberian Iris, specifically 'Perry's Blue,' can be considered mildly toxic if ingested. This toxicity primarily stems from the presence of irisin, which is found in the rhizomes and bulbs. In humans, ingestion of Siberian Iris parts, especially the underground portions, can lead to symptoms like nausea, stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation in some individuals. It is important to avoid ingesting any part of the Siberian Iris and to practice caution when handling the plant if you have sensitive skin.
- To pets
  The Siberian Iris, specifically 'Perry's Blue,' is considered mildly toxic to pets as well. The rhizomes and bulbs contain compounds, such as irisin and iridin, that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets, especially dogs and cats. Symptoms of poisoning in pets may include drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Contact with the plant can also potentially cause skin irritation for pets. It is advisable to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting any part of the Siberian Iris to avoid these unpleasant and possibly harmful effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-8
- Native area
  Europe Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: The Siberian Iris adds visual appeal to gardens with its attractive blue-violet flowers and slender, grass-like foliage.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for gardens in regions with occasional water scarcity.
- Low Maintenance: This iris variety is known for being low maintenance, requiring minimal care once it is established in an appropriate location.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of withstanding cold climates, making it an excellent choice for gardens in cooler regions.
- Pest Resistance: The Siberian Iris is relatively resistant to common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Long Bloom Period: It often has a long flowering period in late spring to early summer, providing a lasting display of color.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are essential for the health of the garden’s ecosystem.
- Versatility: It can be planted in a variety of garden settings, including borders, waterside plantings, and as an accent plant in mixed beds.
- Soil Adaptability: Siberian Irises are adaptable to a range of soil types, although they prefer moist, well-drained soil conditions.
- Reproduction: They can be propagated through division, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings or share with others.
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
- The rhizomes of Siberian iris can be used in perfumery, as their scent can be extracted and used as a fragrant additive.
- Siberian iris fibers can be utilized for papermaking, contributing to a unique texture in handmade papers.
- The strong leaves of Siberian iris can be woven into baskets, mats, or even eco-friendly sandals when dried and treated properly.
- As a natural dye, the Siberian iris, particularly darker varieties, can be used to tint textiles or crafts.
- In photography and fine art, the captivating blooms of Siberian iris often serve as a subject to showcase natural beauty and are used to create botanical prints.
- Edible landscaping uses Siberian iris for aesthetic appeal, where it adds color and structure to garden designs that incorporate both ornamental and edible plants.
- In floral arrangements, Siberian iris offers long-lasting cut flowers which are popular for their intricate forms and wide range of colors.
- In ponds or water features, Siberian iris can be planted in the shallow parts, as it can tolerate wet conditions and provides vertical interest.
- Siberian iris plants can be used for educational purposes in schools or botanical gardens to teach about plant biology and hybridization techniques.
- The blooms of Siberian iris are sometimes candied or frozen in ice cubes for decorative purposes in upscale culinary presentations.

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 – Iris 'Perry's Blue', often just called the Iris, symbolizes hope due to its vibrant bloom that often signals the beginning of spring.
- Wisdom – Historically, the Iris is associated with wisdom and valued for its insightfulness, echoing the Greek goddess Iris who was a messenger of the gods and a symbol of communication and messages.
- Faith – The flower is a symbol of faith with its resilient nature and ability to bloom annually, often in adverse conditions.
- Courage – The Iris stands for courage, reflecting the plant's ability to grow and thrive in a variety of environments.
- Purity – Through its clear blue color, the Iris 'Perry's Blue' represents purity and cleanliness.
- Royalty – Because of its regal appearance and striking colors, Irises are often associated with royalty and majesty.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer to early fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Siberian Irises like 'Perry's Blue' thrive in consistently moist soil, so it's important to keep the soil evenly damp but not waterlogged. Aim to water deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 inches of water which equates to approximately 0.62 gallons per square foot, adjusting for rainfall. During the hotter summer months, water twice a week if there has been no significant rainfall. In the fall, reduce watering to encourage hardening off before winter. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
Light
'Perry's Blue' Siberian Iris performs best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot would be one that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. However, in regions with very hot summers, providing some afternoon shade will help protect the plant from intense heat.
Temperature
The Siberian Iris 'Perry's Blue' is cold-hardy and can survive winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant prefers a temperature range of 68 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during its growing season. However, it can tolerate summer temperatures up to about 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Prune your Siberian Iris 'Perry's Blue' to remove dead leaves and spent flower stalks, which helps prevent disease and encourages new growth. The best time to prune is after blooming, usually in late summer. Pruning can also be done in early spring to clean up any winter-damaged leaves. Remove only the damaged or diseased parts, not the entire foliage clump.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Siberian Iris 'Perry's Blue' thrives best in a soil mix that is well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral in pH, typically around 5.5 to 7. A mix of loamy garden soil, compost, and sand or perlite to improve drainage can be ideal. It's important to ensure the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged to promote healthy growth and blooming.
Repotting
Siberian Iris 'Perry's Blue' generally does not require frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. It's best to repot or divide these irises every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate the plants. Repotting is ideally done after flowering, in late summer or early fall.
Humidity & Misting
Siberian Iris 'Perry's Blue' is tolerant of a range of humidity levels and does not require a highly humid environment. Outdoor humidity conditions are typically adequate for this plant, as it is accustomed to the varying levels found in the natural environment. Maintaining a natural humidity level by providing mulch can help retain soil moisture.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  For good growth, place in bright light and keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun or part shade; ensure soil stays moist.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Perry's Blue', commonly known as Siberian Iris, begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in the spring after experiencing a period of cold stratification, which simulates winter conditions. Seedlings emerge and gradually develop into juvenile plants with characteristic slender, grass-like leaves. As the plants mature, they form robust clumps through rhizomatous growth, which can be divided every 3-5 years for propagation. Siberian Iris produces tall, sturdy stems bearing striking blue flowers typically in late spring to early summer. After flowering, the plant sets seed in capsule-like structures that, if not deadheaded, can self-sow in suitable conditions. Finally, Siberian Iris enters a period of dormancy during the winter months, with foliage dying back and the plant conserving energy within its rhizomes until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer to early fall
- Iris 'Perry's Blue', commonly known as Siberian iris, is often propagated by division, which is the most popular method for its multiplication. The best time for dividing Siberian irises is late summer to early fall, after they have finished blooming. At this time the plants are entering a period of active root growth and will recover from the division process more easily. To propagate, gently lift the clump of iris plants from the ground with a spade or fork, taking care not to damage the rhizomes. Once lifted, the clump should be divided into smaller sections, each section having at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. These divisions can then be replanted individually, ensuring they are spaced about 18 to 24 inches (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for growth, and planted so that the rhizome is just below the soil surface. This method will help to rejuvenate older clumps and promote vigorous growth and blooming in subsequent seasons.