Iris 'Caesar's Brother'

Iris 'Caesar's Brother': Deep Violet, Bred in Montreal, Built for Clay

Deep violet-purple flowers on tall, slender stems. Being the lesser-known brother has never looked this good. 'Caesar's Brother' doesn't need the empire. IT HAS THE BEST SEAT IN THE GARDEN.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Iris sibirica 'Caesar's Brother'
• Common Name: Siberian Iris
• Height: 80–100 cm (31–39 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Deep violet-purple, held on slender stems above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Narrow, upright, grass-like green leaves that stay tidy after bloom
• Features: Handles moist and heavy soils

Where to Plant: Use it in the middle of a border, along a pond or stream, or in a rain garden or low spot that stays damp in spring. It handles heavy clay soils better than bearded irises do and shrugs off cold winters.

Companion Plants: Caltha palustris brings yellow flowers in April and May at 30 to 45 cm, and it likes moist soil the same as Siberian iris. Calamintha 'White Cloud' adds white flowers at 30 to 60 cm from June into September. Echinacea 'Prairie Splendor' brings pink coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from June into September. All three grow in sun to partial sun.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun to part sun, in moist, fertile soil that leans slightly acidic. Set the crown about 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) below the soil surface. Water regularly through the first season and during long dry spells after that. It flowers best with at least half a day of sun. Cut the spent flower stems down after bloom, or leave them for their seed pods. Cut the foliage back in late fall, or leave it standing for winter and cut it in early spring. Divide it when the centre of the clump thins out, usually every several years. Late summer or early spring is the best time. Keep the divisions moist until they are replanted.

History: F. Cleveland Morgan of Montreal bred 'Caesar's Brother' and registered it in 1932, and it earned an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society in 1936 and the Morgan Award in 1953. That award, and the Morgan-Wood Medal that replaced it as the top honour for Siberian irises, are named after Morgan himself.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, fine in heavy soil and dependable year after year. Plant it and let it rule quietly. NO SENATE REQUIRED.