What's the diff between Miniature Iris, Japanese Iris & Siberian Iris? I've looked around on the Web & get mostly descriptions, but very few pics of these 3! I'm thinking that what I have here is not Miniature Iris, as I'd been calling them! From what I've found, Miniature Iris look about the same as "normal" Iris, with long broad-ish leaves but their stems are really short & stubby. From any pics I found of Japanese Iris, their petals are full & rounded like a "normal" Iris, instead of looking slender, with narrow spiky foliage like this:

This is the 1 I'm looking to identify, which grows in a small area by my driveway. (It, like so may of the flowers here, was already here when we bought the house, so I haven't the foggiest idea of what all I have here!) I can't find any photos of Siberian Iris, but from the descriptions I've found, I think that's what it is. It only gets 12-15" tall, the leaves are real slender, it blooms later than "normal" Iris, is doing well in partial shade (unlike "normal" Iris, which love full sun) & the blossoms don't seem to last as long.

I've used "normal" several times here.... now I'm wondering why I'm using a word like that! What IS "normal". anyway?! (Certainly nothing I am familiar with!)

* * * *

Hi, Patty: Your iris looks like our native Iris versicolor, or blue flag , as shown here from a google search:



Good question --what's "normal"-- my first guess is the bearded variety, since that's the one that everyone refers to as simply "iris" in conversation.

Neko, your Iris looks close, but I'm not quite sure. I also don't remember if the blooms stand up a lot higher than the leaves or not. (Gosh, Spring seems like it was YEARS ago! I really need to take notes next year!)

Try this one. I just found this photo in my files & have no idea where it came from, but it's exactly what mine are, only a different color. (I think that maybe I was trying to research it some time ago & lifted the pic off the Web somewhere, but got distracted & didn't follow through!) Maybe this will help narrow it down.

I'm trying to find out what it is, as I have seeds from it but would like to include planting info on seed packets in case anyone wants some. I also believe that Iris seed needs stratification, but want to make sure.
Thanx.

* * * *

LOL! Thanx again, Neko! (Looks like you went on quite a search, like I've been doing!) Interesting article; sounds like the guy is about as confused as I am...

quote:

---

"The only sure identification of an unknown comes when you can match it with living material of a correctly-named plant "

---

... which is exactly why I posted my question here! Somebody must know what these Iris are called!

I appreciate your time & contributions

* * * *