Comparison of Japanese Iris Foliage & Siberian Iris Foliage

There are hundreds of cultivars of iris, and all are technically categorized as an herb. Bearded iris, with their dramatic, fuzzy, down-turned petals are probably the best known, but the more delicate Japanese iris and Siberian iris are prized as well.

Iris Foliage

Siberian Iris Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Swaminathan

All species of iris produce sprays of tall, grass-like foliage. Unlike the larger irises, the foliage of both the Japanese and the Siberian iris is narrow and grass-like.

Growth

Japanese Iris Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of leezie5

Both Japanese and Siberian irises produce foliage that stays bright and healthy throughout the growing season.

Siberian Iris

The foliage of Siberian iris is more vertical and more bluish than the foliage of Japanese iris.

Japanese Iris

The tall foliage of Japanese iris is greener than the Siberian and has a more arching growth habit.

Length

Both Japanese and Siberian iris have long leaves--from 2 to 4 feet--but because of the slightly more upright habit of their leaves, Siberian iris plants may appear slightly taller.

References

• URI.edu: Greenshare Fact Sheets--Iris Culture
• Clemson.edu: Iris