Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Black Joker Siberian Iris: Jewel-Toned Blooms Before the Lavender
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Black Joker Siberian iris is a compact iris with small, detailed flowers in striking colors. Deep wine-purple falls are edged in thin buttery yellow, under light blue upright petals, each bloom about 2½ to 3 inches across. It won the Morgan-Wood Medal in 2023, the top American Iris Society award for Siberian irises.
The flowers are small, but they are the kind people bend down to look at, then call someone else over to see.
Black Joker at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Iris sibirica 'Black Joker' |
| Flowers | 2½ to 3 inches; wine-purple falls edged yellow, light blue standards |
| Foliage | Narrow, grassy, green |
| Size | About 20 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to mid-June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Good for pollinators; deer and rabbit resistant |
Where it fits near lavender
Siberian iris likes steadier moisture than lavender does, so the two should be neighbors rather than bedmates. A moist border beside the lavender, the low edge of a slope, a rain garden or the area around a water feature all suit Black Joker. Keep the lavender on the higher, drier ground.
The timing between them is lovely. Black Joker blooms in early to mid-June, just before most lavender opens, so the iris hands off the purple to the lavender. After bloom, its slender grassy foliage stays tidy all season and provides a fine-textured green backdrop. At 20 inches, it fits the front of a border or a small garden.
Planting and care
- Planting: set the bare root plant with the crown just below the soil surface and water well.
- Water: keep it well watered through the season, especially spring and early summer. Deep watering in hot, dry spells keeps the foliage fresh.
- After bloom: remove spent stems to keep the clump tidy.
- Fall or spring: cut the foliage back in late fall or early spring.
- Dividing: split crowded clumps in late summer.
Established clumps need no winter mulch. Siberian iris is also not bothered by black walnut, a handy trait if you garden near those trees. Iris rhizomes and leaves can cause stomach upset if eaten, so keep pets from chewing on them.
For the vase
Black Joker is a good cut flower. Cut stems when the first bud is just opening, and the rest will continue indoors. A few with early lavender buds make a small, jewel-toned arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Joker a bearded iris?
No. It is a Siberian iris, with slender grassy leaves and smaller, more delicate flowers than bearded types.
Will it grow in a dry lavender bed?
It prefers more moisture. Plant it in a moister border nearby instead.
Do deer eat it?
It is resistant to both deer and rabbits.
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