Siberian Iris Peacock Butterfly® Theme and Variation

Iris Sibirica 'Theme and Variation' – mixture of blue and yellow.

Iris Sibirica 'Theme and Variation', introduced in 2015 by master hybridizers Marty Schafer and Jan Sacks, offers a captivating blend of light blue and yellow hues, perfect for adding elegance to any garden. This Siberian iris stands tall at 75 cm and blooms in midseason, showcasing delicate light blue standards infused with yellow. The petal edges feature a unique transition where yellow dominates over blue, giving the flower a soft, glowing appearance. The deep yellow falls are complemented by soft blue signal veining that blends beautifully into the petals, creating a refined, understated beauty.

The style arms continue the theme with light blue tones and soft yellow tips, accompanied by a green-blue midrib. Slightly fragrant, this perennial iris brings both visual appeal and a subtle scent to your garden. Bred from 'Tipped in Blue' and 'Mission Bay', 'Theme and Variation' thrives in moist, well-drained soils, making it ideal for bog gardens and perennial borders. Its exquisite color palette and reliable performance make it a must-have for any iris enthusiast or gardener seeking a graceful addition to their collection.

How to grow Japanese iris

Iris ensata is a full-sun iris growing naturally in open wet fields in eastern Asia. Iris ensata has a vertical growth habit like most other iris species. Its large flowers come in different shades of blue. It needs to be grown in an acid humus-rich soil, with regular watering between early March and the end of July. Iris ensata can be planted in a sunny place in the garden, at the banks of a pond or slow flowing streams, or in wet places that are not flooded during the winter. It may prove necessary to cover the young plants through the first winter (with mulch, straw or bark shavings etc.) especially in the case of late planting.