Siberian Iris Iris 'Soft Blue' (Sib)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Soft Blue', belonging to the Siberian Iris group, is known for its strikingly beautiful and elegant appearance. The plant showcases blooms that are characterized by their delicate blue hues. These blooms typically have standards and falls, which are the upright and downward-curving segments of the petals, respectively, that exhibit a soft blue color. This shade of blue can range from pale sky blue to a more pronounced periwinkle, depending on various factors like light and soil conditions. The petals often have a subtle veining or texturing, which adds to the intricate beauty of each flower. The falls may also display a slight ruffling along their edges, providing a gentle, frilly look that complements the softness of the color. A contrasting feature is often found at the base of the falls, where there might be a splash of yellow or white, known as the signal, which attracts pollinators. Each stem of the Iris 'Soft Blue' typically supports multiple blooms, creating an eye-catching display when the plant is in full flower. The foliage of this plant consists of slender, grass-like leaves that are bright green and maintain an upright, clumping habit. These leaves can provide a contrasting vertical element in the garden throughout the growing season, even when the plant is not in bloom. The overall appearance of Iris 'Soft Blue' exudes an air of elegance and tranquility, making it a popular choice for water features, ponds, and perennial borders.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Siberian Iris, Soft Blue Siberian Iris
- Common names
  Iris sibirica 'Soft Blue'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Soft Blue' is generally considered to be mildly toxic to humans if ingested. The primary toxic components are the rhizomes and bulbs, which contain irisin, iridin, or irisine. If someone eats part of an iris, particularly the rhizomes or bulbs, they might experience symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to avoid consuming any part of the iris and to teach children to not eat plants and parts of plants unless they are specifically grown and prepared for consumption.
- To pets
  The Iris 'Soft Blue' is toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. The rhizomes and bulbs contain compounds such as irisin, iridin, or irisine, which can lead to gastrointestinal irritation if ingested. Symptoms of iris poisoning in pets may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of an iris, it is important to contact a veterinarian promptly to get appropriate care for your animal.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: The Iris 'Soft Blue' features beautiful soft blue blooms that add a splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Easy Maintenance: Irises are generally low maintenance, requiring minimal care and upkeep once they are established in the garden.
- Cold Hardy: Iris 'Soft Blue' is capable of withstanding cold temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Seasonal Interest: With its spring blooming season, the Iris 'Soft Blue' provides visual interest and marks the change of seasons in the garden.
- Soil Adaptability: This plant can adapt to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-draining conditions.
- Propagation: Irises can be easily propagated by dividing rhizomes, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Landscape Design Versatility: Its elegant foliage and flower form make Iris 'Soft Blue' suitable for a range of garden designs, from borders to water features.
- Longevity: Irises are perennial plants, meaning they can live for several years and provide long-term value in the garden.
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
- As a natural dye: The petals of the Siberian iris can be used to create a light blue or lavender dye for fabrics, wool, or paper.
- In perfumery: Though not as common as other flowers, Siberian iris might sometimes be used for their delicate fragrance in perfumery.
- Culinary garnish: The flowers can be used as an elegant, edible garnish for special dishes or desserts, provided they have been grown without harmful chemicals.
- Floral crafts: Dried Siberian iris petals can be used in potpourri or in crafting items like floral bookmarks or greeting cards.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Dried petals of the Siberian iris make for an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paper confetti.
- In ponds and water features: They can help to root soil and prevent erosion when planted near the edges of water gardens or naturalized pond areas.
- Photography: The distinct shape and color of the Siberian iris make it a popular subject for nature and macro photography projects.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the unique structure of the Siberian iris as inspiration in paintings, textiles, and other art forms.
- Teaching tool: The plant can be used in educational settings to teach about plant biology, pollination, and horticulture practices.
- As a natural insecticide: When planted in a garden, Siberian iris may help to deter certain insects, though this use is quite anecdotal and species-dependent.

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
- Royalty: Irises are often associated with royalty due to their regal appearance and historical connection to royal families.
- Wisdom: The Iris is linked with wisdom, as the Greek goddess Iris was known as a messenger who delivered messages from the heavens to the earth.
- Hope: The Iris can symbolize hope, as it is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, signaling the end of winter and the start of a more fruitful season.
- Trust: Giving someone an Iris can be a way to convey trust, showcasing belief in the person's integrity and reliability.
- Purity: The delicate nature of the flower and its traditionally light colors, like the soft blue, tend to symbolize purity and innocence.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Siberian Irises, including Iris 'Soft Blue', prefer consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. They should be watered deeply once or twice a week, providing about one inch of water each time which equates to approximately 0.62 gallons per square yard of soil. The best method of watering is to use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the root zone. This helps to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of disease. During the dormant period in late fall to winter, reduce watering to minimize the risk of root rot.
Light
Siberian Irises like Iris 'Soft Blue' thrive in full sun to partial shade conditions. The ideal spot would provide them with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, though they can tolerate light afternoon shade. Avoid placing them in deep shade as this will reduce flowering and can cause the plants to become leggy.
Temperature
Siberian Irises such as Iris 'Soft Blue' are cold-hardy plants capable of enduring winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow best in temperatures that fluctuate between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season. However, they can survive summer highs up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, provided they're given adequate moisture.
Pruning
Pruning of Siberian Irises, including Iris 'Soft Blue', is typically done to tidy up the plant and encourage healthy growth. After flowering, cut back the flower stalks to the base to prevent seed formation. In late fall, remove any dead foliage to discourage disease. Additionally, divide the plants every three to five years in late summer to maintain vigor.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Siberian Iris 'Soft Blue' thrives best in well-draining, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.5 to 7. Amend soil with organic matter and ensure good drainage.
Repotting
Siberian Irises typically need repotting every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor.
Humidity & Misting
The Siberian Iris is quite adaptable but prefers average humidity conditions; excessive humidity is not required for its growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, cool room, ensure good air flow for Siberian Iris.
- Outdoor
  Full to partial sun, moist soil, good drainage for Siberian Iris.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Soft Blue', commonly known as Siberian Iris, begins its life cycle as a seed which, when planted in well-draining soil and with adequate moisture, germinates to produce a small sprout. The sprout then develops into a young plant with distinctive narrow, grass-like leaves and a developing root system called a rhizome. Over time, the Siberian Iris matures and the rhizome expands, allowing the plant to become more established and form clumps. The plant reaches the flowering stage in late spring to early summer, producing delicate pale blue to lavender flowers that are a hallmark of the species. After blooming, the plant sets seed, which can then be dispersed to give rise to new plants, while the mother plant enters a period of dormancy in winter. The cycle recommences in spring when temperatures rise and new growth emerges from the rhizomes.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagating the Siberian Iris 'Soft Blue' is by division of the rhizomes. This is best done in late summer, after the flowering period has ended, or in early fall, which allows the plants time to establish before the frost. The process involves carefully digging up the entire clump and gently separating the rhizomes with a sharp knife or spade, ensuring that each division has at least one healthy fan of leaves and a portion of the roots. Divisions should be replanted promptly, setting the rhizome so that the top is about an inch (approximately 2.5 centimeters) below the soil surface, and spaced about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) apart to give each new plant room to grow. Adequate watering after transplanting is crucial to help establish the new plants.