Iris sibirica Imperial Opal - Siberian Iris

Iris sibirica 'Imperial Opal' is a mid-season Siberian iris that is characterised by tall floral stems and double flowers in a lovely pink colour with hints of lavender, with finely veined and speckled petals. They bloom in spring, towering over a dense clump of straight, beautiful leaves that remain attractive for many months. Appreciated for their graceful flowers and sculptural foliage, Siberian irises are vigorous and beautiful plants that thrive in moist soil, unlike their cousins the German irises. They are adaptable and very hardy irises, which will thrive in well-drained garden soil that remains moist in summer. They are indispensable near water features, as long as the roots are not submerged in winter, and they are perfect for romantic, English, Japanese, and even contemporary gardens.

Iris sibirica 'Imperial Opal' is a cultivar created by Bob Bauer and John Coble (USA) and registered in 2001. It is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with upright clumps of foliage starting in spring. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. This selection is one of the many cultivars obtained from I. sibirica, which is native to central and eastern Europe and Turkey (but absent from Siberia), and I. sanguinea, which is present in China, Siberia, Japan, Manchuria, and Korea. This 'Imperial Opal' iris will reach approximately 90cm (35in) in height when in bloom, with foliage reaching 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in height and the clump spreading over about 50cm (20in). Its growth rate is moderate, slower than that of German irises. This plant has an erect and elegant habit with dense clumps. The foliage consists of long, narrow leaves with a slightly greyish-green colour. From early May to early June, depending on the region, the floral stems produce compound flowers with at least 12 petals. The flowers open successively from the tip of the stem towards the lower branches. This iris spreads through rhizomes and its vegetation disappears in winter.

The 'Imperial Opal' Siberian iris is perfect near a water feature or stream, or simply in very moist soil. It is also suitable for any type of garden that never completely dries out. Its gracefulness is perfect for romantic gardens, English gardens, and other mixed borders. In moist areas, it can be planted with numerous perennials that thrive in the same conditions, such as camassias, poet's narcissus, montbretias, daylilies, astilbes, and more.

Note: The wild Siberian iris (Iris sibirica L.) is an endangered and protected species that must be respected. Horticultural Siberian irises are the result of hybridisation between different species of the Sibericae series (I. sanguinea, etc.). Their flowers are larger than those of wild forms and come in various colours. Several hundred named cultivars have been registered.