A great many years ago, our landscaper put in three clumps of this iris. The flowers are purple (more purple than the picture), about 1.5-2" in size, and grow on maybe 2.5-3' stems. The foliage is narrow and almost as tall.

Right now I would say that we are near the end of the bearded iris season, and this is the time of year when these irises normally bloom. However, over the years the bloom has dwindled more and more on the three clumps, to where I am getting almost none.

Last year, hypothesizing that maybe too much shade had grown around these plants, I tried digging and moving one clump, but it died.

In order to know what to do about these plants, I need to have a clue as to what kind of iris the plant is. (Clearly it is not a bearded iris.)

Does anyone have any ideas? Bloom image below (remember, it is more purple).



Thanks for any help!

That looks like a variety of Siberian Iris to me. I'll look more into it.

Siberian tend to be shorter. Maybe a Japanese iris.

This is too new, but Species X Who's on first looks like it and is about the right height.

I'm really skeptical that it would be a Japanese iris. I don't think that they sell them in the nurseries hereabouts; this is CA after all, where it is more dry than not, and don't Japanese iris want a lot of water? Also, don't the Japanese irises have larger and more lush flowers?

I thought maybe it was a Siberian iris.... but I thought those had larger flowers too, and what about the Spuria irises? How would you tell the difference between a Siberian iris and a Spuria iris?

If it helps any, the foliage seems to die back and go dormant during the winter... or at least it has, ever since I started paying attention to it a few years ago.

This is all so confusing...

It's a Siberian Iris. The particular cultivar would be almost impossible to guess, there are probably hundreds that are about that color. Also, for what it's worth, many Siberian cultivars grow in the 2.5 to 3 foot range.

I was going to rule out JI's because they never have that spot on the falls. Which left Sibs or Species. I agree with Kent though that it is most likely a sib.

OK, Siberian iris then, thanks.

Now can someone please explain to me about Spuria irises, and why this isn't a Spuria iris?

One of the wholesale growers in Hollister grows a Siberian called "Caesar's Brother. I remember that one from when I used to order from her when I was working in nurseries. There aren't a lot of wholesalers around here that grow Siberians, and CB is one that is supposed to do well here (or at least better than many of the others).

Thanks, Sherry - I was wondering if my iris (presuming it was a Siberian) might be that cultivar. Certainly the retail nurseries around here don't seem to sell (m)any Siberians.

Siberian is what I thought immediately too. I have Sibs that range in height from 1' to 4'. Doesn't surprise me that CB performs well in dryer climates- its tough as nails!

CB is no longer really identifies. It could be a child of such, but is all mixed up now. but flower should be a Siberian to me. Google Spuria for description. It doesn't like water in the summer, so we don't grow them here.

Lucy, I've wondered about that- seems there are a lot of different plants being sold as CB. Kind of like the King Alfred daffodil, lots of yellow daffs sold as such, but KA isn't grown much in commerce any more and most sold are impostors.

In a thread....someplace, maybe on Cubits.....Polly explained the "Caesar's Brother" thing several years ago. Several being sold , or passed around, under that name, and apparently none of them the "real deal". It is an older form, (and probably "self seeded" ....that's how the "real deal" was lost), and quite hardy. Not a fancy flower, but, it makes a good "statement".
I don't have a picture....but, when it blooms, I'll post one.....but Polly sent me an iris that she said "wasn't CB, but, it's as close as you will ever come". I spent a while 'searching 'for that thread....and can't find it.

I remember this conversation as well. I am sure it was indeed on Cubits, and I think it was early on in "Cubits" life as a website.

Greg, it's nice to have 'confirmation ! I've reached the age where, not only do I "not remember" ........but I'm not sure if I ever knew it in the first place ! Of all the things I've lost...I miss my mind, the most.......I think?!

Thanks everyone for enlightening me. It seems that seedlings, misidentifies, and NOIDs abound...