Species Iris

Species Irises are the original native varieties of iris from which all modern cultivars are bred. Species Irises include the groups Siberia, Sino-Siberia, Spuria and more.

All Species Irises need full sun to semi-shade, except Japonica and Gracillipes which prefer a semi shade position. Divide Species Irises in late autumn / early winter. Generally, Species Irises require a slightly acidic soil. Once a good root zone is established, Species Irises are drought tolerant (except Japonica and Gracillipes).

Iris Siberia is native to Europe and Asia and is a 28 chromosome iris, where the Sino-Siberia group has 40. The Sino-Siberia includes the species Chrysographes (Bog Irises listed on this website, under 'Water Iris Other'), Clarkei, Delavayi and Forestii. This group is native to Asia. These irises are versatile, both drought tolerant and moisture lovers. Although most books state that they dislike wet feet, I have seen Iris Siberia -Tycoon grown successfully as a water plant.

Iris Tectorum is native to central and southwest China, and was grown in Japan to stabilize thatched roofs; giving it the common name 'Japanese Roof Iris'.

Iris Japonica is a woodland iris from China and Japan.

Iris Gracillipes is native to Japan, growing on moist forested hillsides.

Iris Schachtii is a short bearded iris, native to Turkey.

Iris Unguicularis is native to Algeria.

Iris Spuria is native to Europe.

My Collection of Species Iris

A Attica Purple Attica Yellow	Top of page
B
C chrysographes clarkeii x delavayii cristata
D delavayii douglasiana Drama Thrace
E
F foetidissima: Variegata Yellow forrestii	Top of page
G gracillipes graminea
H
I innominata: Brown Ginger Snap Lilac Time Midnight Primrose Super Dark	Top of page
J japonica: Darjeeling Variegata
K
L lazica
M mileseii
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N
O
P
Q
R reichenbecii reichenbecii Purple
S schachtii   siberia: Click here to download my printable Iris siberia growing tips Blue Sapphire Milka's Blue Perry's Blue Tycoon sino siberia: Pale Blue Purple Blue songarica   spuria: Blue Bunting Cinnamon Stick Struttin' Wayne's Blue	Top of page
T tectorum tectorum album
U unguicularis: Alba Blue Stripe Starkers Pink unguicularis	Top of page
V
W
X
Y
Z

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