Iris sibirica 'Caesar's Brother'
Overview
Uses: Perennial borders, mass plantings, pond and stream edges, formal beds, cutting gardens.
Benefits: Velvety deep purple flowers in late spring on stems that carry well above the foliage, followed by narrow upright blades that stay clean and vertical until frost. Far tougher and far less trouble than bearded iris, with no borer problems and no rhizomes to lift.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Sun/Shade
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Upright, Clumping — narrow blades rising from a tight crown.
Bloom Color: Deep Purple
Mature Height: 2.5–3 ft.
Mature Width: 2–2.5 ft.
Bloom Season: Late spring into early summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Caesar's Brother is the Siberian iris most gardeners end up with, and for good reason — the flower is a saturated velvety purple that reads from across the yard, and the plant behind it is nearly impossible to kill.
The bloom comes in late spring, three to five flowers per stem, held clear above the foliage on wiry stalks that do not need staking. What happens afterward matters just as much. The leaves are narrow, stiff, and strictly upright, more like an ornamental grass than an iris, and they hold that posture through summer heat and into fall while neighboring perennials sprawl. The seed pods that follow the flowers dry to a warm tan and are worth leaving standing into winter.
This is a plant that improves with age. Clumps thicken year over year and flower more heavily as they do, and they can sit undisturbed for ten years or longer before the center thins enough to justify dividing.
Care
Caesar's Brother Siberian Iris Care
Plant Caesar's Brother Siberian Iris in full sun to partial sun in average to moist, fertile soil. Unlike bearded iris, the rhizomes are planted an inch or two below the surface rather than at soil level. It tolerates consistently damp ground and does well at a pond or rain garden edge, though it does not want to stand in water through winter.
Water regularly through the first two seasons. Established clumps handle ordinary dry spells but flower best where moisture is steady through spring.
A single spring application of slow release fertilizer is enough. Cut spent flower stems off at the base unless you want the seed pods for winter interest. Leave the foliage standing through fall and cut it back to a few inches in late winter. Divide only when bloom drops off and the clump has hollowed out in the middle.
Size
What Size is the Caesar's Brother Siberian Iris for Sale Online?
Our Caesar's Brother Siberian Iris ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Caesar's Brother Siberian Iris Grow?
Caesar's Brother Siberian Iris reaches roughly two and a half to three feet tall in bloom and two to two and a half feet wide, with the foliage standing a bit shorter than the flower stems. Clumps thicken and widen gradually for a decade or more.
Additional Information
How is Siberian iris different from bearded iris?
Siberian iris has narrower, grassier foliage that stays upright all season, smaller and more delicate flowers, and no beard on the falls. More practically, it is planted below the soil surface rather than on top, and it is not susceptible to the iris borer and rhizome rot that plague bearded types.
Will it grow in wet soil?
Yes. It tolerates consistently moist ground better than most perennials and is a good choice for pond edges, rain gardens, and low spots that stay damp through spring. It will not survive standing water through winter.
How often does it need dividing?
Rarely. Clumps can go ten years or more before the center thins and bloom falls off. When that happens, lift and split in late summer or early fall.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes. Deer and rabbits both leave iris foliage alone, which makes it a dependable choice in unfenced borders. Browse our deer-resistant perennials and grasses collection for companions, or see all of our perennials for planting partners.
