Iris sibirica Caesars Brother - Siberian Iris

The Siberian Iris Caesar's Brother, a variety with dark blue flowers of rare intensity.

The Siberian Iris, or Iris sibirica, is very similar in cultivation to the Japanese iris. It likes rich and moist soils and tolerates the sun but its flowering will last longer in partial shade.

It blooms from May to June for a good three weeks. Its flowers, smaller than the Japanese iris (about 10cm (4in) in diameter), are finer and generally more intense in colour. There are many cultivars, with blue, violet, pink or white flowers, sometimes bicoloured and very rarely double. The flower stalks stand at 1m (3ft) in height and the fine foliage reaches a height of 60cm (24in).

Due to its origins, it is not afraid of cold or humidity, but like its Japanese cousin, it does not appreciate being submerged underwater in winter. Plant it either on the edge of a pond but not too close to the waterline, or in a constantly damp to moist flowerbed, even in summer.

Iris sibirica Caesar's Brother has very intense dark blue flowers measuring 6-7cm (2-3in) in diameter. They reach a height of 1m (3ft) and bloom in spring, at the beginning of May, for 3 weeks to 1 month.

An interesting variety for its intense flowers that catch the eye, to be paired with astilbes, hostas, Japanese primroses, astrantias, and Japanese irises in a moist flowerbed.