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Iris sibirica 'Strawberry Fair'

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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
 Common Name: Iris-Siberian

  • A popular iris with heavily ruffled, magenta pink falls, lavender pink standards, and a white signal

  • A late bloomer, useful for extending the bloom season into midsummer

  • Tetraploid

Siberian irises are haled for their elegant, delicate flowers and disease resistance. They perform admirably in the sunny to partially shady garden, but need plenty of water throughout the season to continue looking their best. In naturalized settings, they are particularly effective around water features. They can also be grown under Black Walnut trees since they are not effected by juglone. Siberian Irises bloom before Japanese Irises but after Tall Bearded Irises.

Origin: Not Native to North America

Characteristics:



Height:
  29 Inches
Spread:
  18-24 Inches
Flower Color:
  Pink shades
Foliage Color:
  Green shades
Hardiness Zone:
3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Find Your Zone
Sun or Shade?:
  Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
  Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
  Average water needs
  Consistent water needs
Want to see wings?:
  Attracts hummingbirds
Need critter resistant plants?:
  Deer resistant
  Rabbit resistant
How fast should it grow?:
  Medium
When should it bloom?:
  Early summer
  Midsummer
How's your soil?:
  Average Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
  Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
  Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
  Woodland/Shade
  Cottage
  Rain Garden
  Water Garden
  Eclectic

Attributes:

Bog plant
Border plants
Cut flower or foliage
Mass Planting
Specimen or focal point

Awards:

  American Iris Society Honorable Mention 1997
  American Iris Society Award of Merit 1999
  American Iris Society Morgan-Wood Medal (Best Siberian Iris) 2001

Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips:

Siberian Irises are among the easiest and most trouble-free species to grow in their genus. They prefer full sun, though they will tolerate part shade especially in warmer zones. Plant in rich, moist soil that is moderately acidic (5.2-6.4). Deadheading this variety will not prolong its bloom.

It is best to leave these irises untouched until there is a noteable lessening of blooms. At that time, they may be divided, preferably in the fall but also in the spring. New clumps may take two or three years to become firmly established, at which time they will begin to bloom profusely. According to Steven Still, Siberian Irises are the best species of Iris for the south.


Companions:

Common/Botanical Name
Zones  
Astilbe 'White Gloria' ('Weisse Gloria')
Common Name: Astilbe-Hybrid
4,5,6,7,8,9
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Bergenia cordifolia 'Winter Glow' ('Winterglut')
Common Name: Bergenia-Heartleaf
3,4,5,6,7,8
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Digitalis hybrida 'Camelot Lavender'
Common Name: Foxglove
4,5,6,7,8,9
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Campanula carpatica 'Pearl Deep Blue'
Common Name: Bellflower-Carpathian
3,4,5,6,7,8
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Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Common Name: Salvia-Perennial
3,4,5,6,7,8
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Papaver orientale 'Pink Ruffles' PP12712 CPBR1657
Common Name: Poppy-Oriental
3,4,5,6,7
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Acorus calamus 'Variegatus'
Common Name: Grass-Ornamental
4,5,6,7,8
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Geranium 'Orion'
Common Name: Geranium-Hardy
4,5,6,7,8
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Fun Facts:

Irises have been revered for centuries and became an icon of nobility when King Louis VII of France adopted the iris as his Fleur-de-Louis, now known as the popular symbol of the fleur-de-lis.

While every effort has been made to describe this plant accurately, please keep in mind that the height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates throughout the country. The description of this plant was written based on our experience growing it in Michigan (USDA hardiness zone 5) and on numerous outside resources.