Iris sibirica Lemon Veil

Iris sibirica Lemon Veil, a variety with frosted lavender flowers, topped with a lemon heart. Refreshing early summer colours for moist partial shade.

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 its flowering will last longest.

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

Due to its origins, it is not afraid of cold or humidity, but like its Japanese cousin, its base does not appreciate being submerged underwater in winter. Plant it either on the edge of a pond, but not too close to the flood zone, or in a perennial bed that is always damp to moist, even in summer.

Iris sibirica Lemon Veil has flowers in soft colours, very pale lavender with a lemon yellow heart. They reach a height of 85cm (34in) bloom in May for over a month, and can last until July as long as the temperatures remain mild.

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