Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Swans in Flight Siberian Iris: Wide Ivory Blooms in Late June
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Swans in Flight Siberian iris is a late-blooming white with very large flowers, about 5 inches across. The ivory petals are broad and full, wider than older white Siberian irises, and a lemon yellow signal at the base of each fall gives the bloom a soft glow.
It won the Dykes Medal in 2016, the American Iris Society's highest award, and the Morgan-Wood Medal in 2013, its top honor for Siberian irises. In other words, iris people like it a lot.
Swans in Flight at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Iris sibirica 'Swans in Flight' |
| Flowers | Ivory white with lemon yellow signals, about 5 inches |
| Size | About 33 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-June, peaks late June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Cut flower | Good |
| Deer | Resistant |
A late iris that meets the lavender
Most Siberian irises are done before lavender begins. Swans in Flight is a late one, opening in mid-June and peaking in late June after most others are finished. That puts its ivory flowers right at the start of the English lavender season, so for a week or two you get white and purple together.
The catch is water. Siberian iris prefers steadier moisture than lavender, so plant it in a moister border or rain garden nearby rather than in the lavender bed itself. A mass of white iris on the low, moist side of the yard and lavender on the high, dry side makes a lovely early-summer view. Plan both areas in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting for a sheet of white
A single clump is elegant, but Swans in Flight is at its best in groups. Plant several bare roots 18 to 24 inches apart, and within a few seasons the clumps knit into a blanket of wide white blooms over grassy green foliage.
- Soil: average to rich and well watered through spring and early summer.
- Light: full sun for the most bloom; part shade is fine.
- Dividing: divide crowded clumps in late summer.
- Cleanup: cut foliage back in late fall or early spring.
- Winter: very hardy. Established clumps need no winter mulch.
It is rarely troubled by pests or disease. Avoid waterlogged soil, which can lead to crown or root rot, and expect far less borer damage than bearded irises get. It is also not bothered by black walnut.
Format
Swans in Flight is offered as a bare root plant. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for larger bare root orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is it fragrant?
No notable fragrance. It is grown for its size, form and clean color.
Can I cut it for arrangements?
Yes. It rates good as a cut flower; cut when the first bud is opening.
Is it safe for pets?
Iris rhizomes and leaves are irritating and can cause stomach upset if eaten.
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