Iris 'Silver Edge'
Iris sibirica 'Silver Edge' is a refined and easy-care perennial that adds elegance and structure to any garden. With its rich violet-blue petals delicately edged in silver, this Siberian iris provides long-lasting beauty and fits perfectly into both formal and informal planting schemes. It thrives in moist conditions and is especially suited to waterside planting, but it also performs well in regular garden borders.
Key Features
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Botanical name: Iris ‘Silver Edge’
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Group: Tall Bearded Iris
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Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
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Height: 1.2m (4ft)
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Spread: 0.9m (0.9ft)
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Striking violet-blue flowers with a fine silver-white edge
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Delicate yet upright blooms on slender, wiry stems
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Narrow, grass-like foliage that remains attractive throughout the growing season
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Flowering: in late spring to early summer (usually May to June)
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Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H7)
Growth & Habit
Iris 'Silver Edge' is a clump-forming perennial with a graceful, upright growth habit. The plant forms dense tufts of arching green leaves, which add texture and interest even when the plant is not in bloom. The flowers appear on slender, branching stems and seem to float above the foliage, giving the plant a light, airy appearance.
Planting Advice
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Position: Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Best flowering occurs in a sunny spot.
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Potted: grown in pots can be planted at any time of the year providing the ground is not frozen or waterlogged
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Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil is ideal. Particularly suited to planting near ponds, streams, or in boggy borders. Avoid very dry or shallow soils.
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Planting Depth: Plant with the crown just at soil level—neither too deep nor too exposed.
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Spacing: Allow 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) between plants to provide space for clump expansion.
For best results, plant in spring or early autumn to allow time for establishment before extreme temperatures.
Care & Maintenance
Iris 'Silver Edge' is low-maintenance once established and doesn’t require frequent attention. Keep the soil moist during the growing season, especially in dry weather. A spring mulch of compost or well-rotted manure helps to retain moisture and feed the plant naturally.
Deadhead spent flowers after blooming to keep the plant looking tidy, though this is not essential for performance. In late autumn, prune back the foliage to just above ground level to maintain a neat appearance and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Every 3 to 5 years, divide congested clumps in late summer or early autumn to maintain healthy growth and encourage more vigorous flowering. Simply lift the clump, trim off old or woody sections, and replant strong, healthy divisions.
Uses in the Garden
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Ideal for waterside planting or moist garden borders
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Works well in both contemporary and cottage garden styles
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Pairs beautifully with plants like hosta, astilbe, and ligularia
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Adds vertical movement and texture in mixed perennial beds
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Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies
Pruning Advice
Remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering
With its striking colour contrast and graceful habit, Iris 'Silver Edge' is a reliable and elegant addition to any garden. Whether you're planting it along a stream, in a damp border, or within a mixed perennial scheme, this iris brings beauty, texture, and easy charm with very little effort.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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