Iris sibirica Moon Silk - Siberian Iris

Iris sibirica Moon Silk, a variety with pure white flowers punctuated with a golden yellow touch in the centre.

The Siberian Iris, or Iris sibirica, is very similar in cultivation to the Japanese iris. It likes rich and moist soils and it tolerates the sun, but it is in partial shade that it will flower for a long time.

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 bicolor and rarely double. The flower stems are erect at 1m (3ft) tall, and the thin foliage reaches a height of 60cm (24in).

Due to its origins, it is not afraid of cold or moisture, but like its Japanese cousin, its roots do not appreciate being submerged in water during winter. Plant it either on the edge of a pond but not too close to the flood zone, or in a perennial bed that remains damp to moist, even in summer.

Iris sibirica Moon Silk has pure white flowers that become creamy as they fade, punctuated with gold in the centre. They reach a height of 70cm (28in) and bloom in June for over a month.

This variety with bright flowering pairs well with astilbes, hostas, Japanese primroses, astrantias, and Japanese irises.