Iris sibirica 'Alba' (Siberian iris 'Alba')

Botanical name

Iris sibirica 'Alba'

Other names

Iris sibirica 'Snow Queen', Siberian iris 'Alba', Beardless Siberian iris 'Alba'

Genus

Iris Iris

Variety or Cultivar

'Alba' _ 'Alba' is an upright herbaceous perennial with narrow, strap-shaped, green leaves and white, beardless flowers with purple veins that bloom in late spring.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.

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Colour

Flower

White, Flushed purple in Spring

Foliage

Green, Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Iris rhizome rot

General care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to keep tidy.

Propagation methods

Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Iris sibirica 'Alba' (Siberian iris 'Alba') will reach a height of 0.85m and a spread of 0.85m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, City, Roof terrace, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Plant in any soil that is moist but not waterlogged. Suggested to stake these flower stems before they get too tall.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Iris sibirica 'Alba' (Siberian iris 'Alba')

Common pest name

Red rice root aphid; Rice root aphid

Scientific pest name

Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Potentially significant glasshouse pest; growers should monitor for its presence. Routine aphid control should be effective in mitigating risk.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Iris sibirica 'Alba' (Siberian iris 'Alba')

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/