Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Jewelled Crown Siberian Iris: Wine Purple Just Before Lavender
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Jewelled Crown Siberian iris carries 3 to 5 inch flowers in rich wine purple, with lighter blue-purple style arms at the center and semi-flaring falls marked by white and yellow signals and fine purple veins. They stand on slender stems above narrow, grass-like leaves in an upright clump 28 to 34 inches tall.
It has won the top award given to Siberian irises, and its foliage stays clean and handsome all season, long after the flowers are done.
Jewelled Crown at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Iris sibirica 'Jewelled Crown' |
| Flowers | Wine purple, 3 to 5 inches, white and yellow signals |
| Foliage | Narrow, grassy, green, disease resistant |
| Size | 28 to 34 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to mid-June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3-9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Deer | Resistant |
The opening act for lavender
Jewelled Crown blooms in early to mid-June, just before lavender begins, so it sets up the purple season rather than competing with it. The catch is water. Siberian iris wants steadier moisture than lavender ever should, so plant it a few steps away: in a lower border, along a downspout, or around a pond or water feature, where it is especially pretty massed. From the lavender beds, the dark wine flowers read as a deeper shade of the same theme.
After bloom, the upright, grassy leaves give a fine vertical texture that holds through summer. Plan both areas in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun to part shade, in average to rich soil.
- Water: keep it well watered through the season, especially spring and early summer, and water deeply in hot, dry spells.
- Cleanup: cut foliage back in late fall or early spring. Established clumps need no winter mulch.
- Dividing: divide crowded clumps in late summer.
- Black walnut: Siberian iris is not bothered by it, which is handy in many Michigan yards.
- Pests: far less trouble from iris borer than bearded irises.
For cutting
Jewelled Crown is a good cut flower. Cut stems when the first bud shows color, and more buds on the stem will open in the vase. It does not dry well. Plan a cutting row with the Cut Flower Planner.
Planting from bare root
This iris is offered as a bare root plant. Plant it with the crown about an inch below the soil surface and keep it moist while it settles in. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from bearded iris?
Siberian irises have narrow, grassy leaves, like more moisture, rarely suffer from foliar disease and are far less troubled by borers.
Is it safe to eat or chew?
No. Iris rhizomes and leaves are irritating and can cause stomach upset if eaten.
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