Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' (Siberian Iris) — Clump-forming, upright

Overview

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Iris, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous foliage. It typically grows around 0.6 m tall and 0.3 m wide. Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' grows best in full sun; some tolerate partial shade, and tolerates loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5–H7.

About

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the Iridaceae with sword-shaped, grassy leaves and a compact habit to about 0.6 m. It flowers from May to July. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some light shade and suits neutral to slightly alkaline, moisture-retentive soils. Leaves are often glaucous, giving a blue-green tone through the season.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Iris sibirica

About the genus

Iris takes its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and for once the naming feels entirely earned. I can't think of another genus that covers so much ground — inky purples, burnt apricots, clean whites, blues that seem lit from inside — or so many situations. There are bearded irises that want their rhizomes baked in full sun, Siberian types happy in ordinary border soil, and species that will sit contentedly at the edge of a pond. What they share is the flower: three petals standing up, three falling away, built with a kind of architectural confidence most plants never attempt. Even out of bloom the foliage earns its place — those upright fans of blue-green leaves hold a border together for months. I grow them for the fortnight in May and June when nothing else in the garden can compete, and I've made my peace with that. Some plants are for the long haul. An iris is an event.

Written by Henry

In the garden

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' is a perennial from the genus Iris that forms tidy clumps of upright, sword-shaped leaves and reaches roughly 0.6 m high with a 0.3 m spread. Flowering occurs in the UK from May to July. The foliage often has a glaucous (blue-green) cast that remains an architectural element once blooms fade. Plant in a south- or west-facing spot in full sun; it will tolerate a little light shade. It favours neutral to slightly alkaline soils and benefits from moisture-retentive conditions typical of Siberian and Japanese iris types rather than the very free-draining conditions bearded irises prefer. Soil types recorded for this group include loam, chalk or sand, but give it consistent moisture where possible while avoiding waterlogging. Hardiness covers H5 to H7 in UK classification — in plain terms it is hardy across most of Britain, from gardens with moderate winter protection to fully exposed sites — and aligns with USDA zones 3–9. It will grow in exposed or sheltered locations, making it suitable for sunny beds and borders where soil stays slightly moist; position plants to receive the best light on south- or west-facing slopes. The long, linear leaves extend the season of interest beyond the May–July flowering window and help define planting lines in mixed herbaceous schemes.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Iris

Sunlight: Full sun; some tolerate partial shade
Soil type: Loam, chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained; Siberian and Japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H5–H7

Plant details

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Foliage: Deciduous or evergreen; sword-shaped to grassy, often glaucous
Height: 0.6 m
Spread: 0.3 m

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red'

Cultivation: Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.
Propagation: Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.
Pest resistance: Generally trouble-free, though iris sawfly and slugs damage foliage and thrips can disfigure buds.
Disease resistance: Prone to leaf spot, and to rhizome rot wherever drainage is poor or planting too deep.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red'?

Plant bearded irises with the top of the rhizome exposed so it can bake in summer sun; beardless kinds sit just below the surface in richer, damper ground. Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser after flowering and keep the rhizomes clear of mulch and encroaching neighbours.

Where is the best place to plant Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red'?

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' prefers full sun; some tolerate partial shade. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' need?

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' grows best in loam and chalk or sand; sharply drained for bearded kinds soil. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained; siberian and japanese kinds need moisture-retentive soil.

How do I prune Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red'?

Remove spent flower stems at the base. Trim the outer leaves back by about half in late autumn to reduce overwintering fungal spores, leaving the central fan intact.

How big does Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' grow?

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' reaches a height of 0.6 m and a spread of 0.3 m.

Is Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' hardy in the UK?

Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Iris sibirica 'Eric The Red'?

Divide rhizomes six to eight weeks after flowering, discarding the old woody centre and replanting vigorous outer sections. Species come from seed, but named cultivars will not come true.

More in the Iris genus

Browse all Iris →