Siberian iris are a hardy beardless iris growing from two to four feet in height and are among the easiest of perennials to grow. The slender grass-like foliage forms dense clumps. The beauty of their bloom and the grace of their foliage enhance perennial and shrub borders and they are particularly effective in naturalized settings around water. They bloom at about the same time as the tall bearded iris - Usually from mid-May through the first part of June in the Louisville area.

Plant in full sun if possible, but they will bloom with a minimum of a half-day of sun.

They prefer soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.9 (slightly acid) but tolerate pH 4.5 to 8 if other conditions are suitable.

They grow well beside water - not in it (good drainage is critical) - and are equally at home in the perennial bed.

Plant with tops of rhizomes 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Space plants about 2 feet apart.

When transplanting, roots must stay moist while plants are out of the ground! Keep roots wrapped in damp newspaper, etc. until planted.

After planting, water as required to keep the soil moist - at least one inch a week. After they are well established (usually two to three seasons), they withstand drying as well as most other herbaceous perennials.

Fall planting is preferred but not mandatory in the Louisville area IF they are watered well during the summer they are planted.

Mulch them heavily (aged wood chips, shredded cypress mulch, etc.) the first winter they are planted to prevent heaving. After they are established heavy mulching is not necessary.

A light application of 5-10-10 fertilizer is spring is suitable but not mandatory in good garden soil.