Siberian Iris Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' (Sib)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' is a stunningly beautiful flower that displays a delightful palette of colors. The blooms are characterized by their intricate patterns and shades that can often resemble the delicate wings of a butterfly. These flowers typically have a handful of large, showy petals that spread outwards, creating a striking visual display. The petals commonly exhibit a mix of purples, blues, lavenders, and whites, and they may have intricate veining or speckling, with various hues blending together softly. At the center of each bloom, the Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' has distinct beard-like structures that are often brightly colored, contrasting sharply with the petals, and adding depth and texture to the flower's appearance. The foliage of this plant is slender and sword-shaped, radiating out from the base in a fan-like pattern. The leaves are usually a rich green, providing a lush backdrop that further highlights the beauty of the blossoms. While in bloom, the Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' can create a captivating focal point in a garden due to the flowers' ornate details and the plant's graceful form. Elegance and a sense of movement, reminiscent of the butterfly it is named after, are conveyed through the petals' flaring and the foliage's upright stance.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Siberian Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' (Sib).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Siberian iris, like many species within the Iris genus, can be toxic to humans. The rhizomes (underground stems) contain compounds that may cause irritation to the skin, stomach upset if ingested, and can act as a mild laxative. Handling the plant, particularly the rhizomes, without gloves can lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Symptoms of ingestion may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It is important not to consume any part of the Siberian iris.
- To pets
  Siberian iris is considered mildly toxic to pets. If ingested, the rhizomes can cause gastrointestinal upset in animals such as dogs and cats. Symptoms of poisoning may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The plant's irritant properties can also affect pets if they handle or chew on the rhizomes, potentially leading to irritation of the mouth or throat. It is advisable to prevent pets from consuming any part of the Siberian iris.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.30-0.61 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: The Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, helping to pollinate the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its striking flowers, it can significantly enhance the visual appeal of a garden or landscape.
- Easy Cultivation: This variety is considered easy to grow and maintain, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dry weather, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Soil Adaptability: It can adapt to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides seasonal interest with its blooms typically in late spring to early summer.
- Border Plant: Its size and form make it suitable for use in borders, adding structure to garden designs.
- Historical Significance: Irises have a long history of cultivation and are often associated with heritage and tradition in gardens.
- Cold Resistance: It is generally cold-hardy, making it suitable for gardens in cooler climates.
- Low Pest and Disease Risk: The plant is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
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 fibrous leaves of the Siberian Iris can be used in basket weaving, creating an unusual and textured material for artisans.
- Dried seed pods of the Siberian Iris may be used in floral arrangements to add a unique and lasting structural element.
- The natural dyes extracted from Siberian Iris petals can be used in textile dyeing, yielding subtle hues for fabrics and yarns.
- Siberian Iris clumps can serve as effective soil erosion control on banks or slopes due to their dense root systems.
- The plant's stalks, when dried, can be used in crafting, such as making natural wreaths or as stakes for supporting other plants.
- Pressed Siberian Iris flowers create artistic botanical prints on paper or cards, often used in craft projects or as decorative art.
- Live Siberian Iris plants can act as a natural pest deterrent, as their fragrance and foliage may not be appealing to certain garden pests.
- The spent flowers of the Siberian Iris can be collected and used to create a natural, biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations.
- In photography, the intricate patterns of Siberian Iris flowers provide inspiration and a captivating subject for macro photography enthusiasts.
- In ponds or water gardens, Siberian Iris can be planted along the water's edge to create a beautiful, natural filtration border.

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 associated with hope, representing belief in a positive future.
- Wisdom: In some cultures, the Iris is symbolic of wisdom, perhaps because of its regal appearance.
- Purity: The elegant flowers of the Iris can represent purity and innocence.
- Courage: The Iris may symbolize courage, reflecting the courage to believe in one's convictions.
- Royalty: Due to its majestic look, the Iris is sometimes connected with royalty and noble bearing.
- Faith: Throughout history, Irises have symbolized faith across various cultures and religions.
- Valour: In some traditions, particularly in Japan, the Iris embodies valour and heroic deeds.

💧

Every 2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer to early autumn

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Siberian irises like the 'Wealden Butterfly' should be watered deeply and regularly during the growing season, especially if rainfall is less than an inch per week. Provide about a gallon of water per plant each week to maintain consistent soil moisture. Overwatering or allowing the soil to become waterlogged should be avoided, as it can lead to root rot. During periods of drought, increase the water amount slightly, but during the winter, reduce watering as the plant goes dormant and requires less moisture.
Light
Siberian irises, such as 'Wealden Butterfly', thrive best in full sun to partial shade. They should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal spot would be in a garden area where they can soak up the morning sun but are protected from the intense heat of the late afternoon.
Temperature
'Wealden Butterfly' Siberian irises are hardy plants that can tolerate a range of temperatures, but they grow best when the temperature is between 50°F and 75°F. They can survive winter temperatures down to -40°F and summer highs up to 90°F without significant stress, as long as they are well-cared for in terms of watering and soil conditions.
Pruning
Prune 'Wealden Butterfly' Siberian irises by removing spent flower stalks after blooming to maintain plant appearance and prevent self-seeding. Additionally, in late fall or early spring, cut back dead foliage to the ground to tidy up the plant and encourage healthy new growth. It’s usually not necessary to prune more than once a year unless removing damaged or diseased leaves.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Siberian Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5-7.0). A good soil mix contains loamy garden soil, compost, and coarse sand to improve drainage. Mulching can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Repotting
Siberian Irises like 'Wealden Butterfly' typically do not need frequent repotting and can be divided every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor. Transplanting is best done after flowering in late summer.
Humidity & Misting
While Siberian Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' tolerates a range of humidity levels, it does best with moderate humidity, avoiding excessively dry or overly damp air which could foster rot.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Siberian Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' by a sunny window; keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant Siberian Iris 'Wealden Butterfly' in a sunny spot with moist soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Wealden Butterfly', also known as Siberian Iris, begins its life cycle when the seeds are sown in late winter to spring and germinate, typically requiring a chilling period to break dormancy. The seedlings emerge and develop into juvenile plants with characteristic narrow leaves and a clumping growth habit. As the plants mature, typically by their third year, they produce strong stems that bear the distinctive iris blooms, which are usually violet or blue with pale markings, in late spring to early summer. After flowering, the plants set seed in capsule-like structures that eventually open to disperse seeds for the next generation. Throughout the growing season, the Siberian Iris continues to develop its rhizomatous root system, allowing it to spread and form larger clumps. The plant dies back to the ground in the fall, with the rhizomes surviving through the winter to regenerate new growth the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer to early autumn
- Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Iris 'Wealden Butterfly', which is a Siberian iris, is by division. This perennial plant tends to form clumps which can be divided to propagate new plants. The ideal time to divide Siberian irises is in late summer to early fall, after they have finished blooming and when the weather begins to cool. During this time, the plant's growth slows down, allowing it to recover from the division process without the stress of extreme heat. To divide a Siberian iris, carefully dig around the clump to lift it from the ground, minimizing root damage. Using a sharp knife or spade, cut through the thick rhizomes to separate them, ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the roots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before, spaced about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) apart, to allow for adequate growth and air circulation.