Those are seed pods and, when they dry, will have ripe seeds. I've not grown them from seed as they spread like wildfire in my garden (and I bet they will in your's too - so maybe put your seed starting energy elsewhere?)

I am sure someone who has grown them from seed can tell you how best to do it, but all seed must ripen in the pods till brown/dryer.

Anyone ever passing through the eastern end of Long Island can stop at my house and dig some up!

Good luck to you...
Nancy

They start great with Winter Sowing, it's a good method iris.

T

Thanks Trudi and Nancy!

Like you said Nancy, they spread like wildfire! They only reason I thought about doing these is because I saw the pods and know nothing about WS or collecting seeds. lol

There are other perennials I'd like to do, such as heuchera's & hostas, but don't know to get the seeds.

I wouldnt say papery is the right word, they're actually pretty hard...not like wood, but I actually had to use something to break it open.

hostarookie - If you need help harvesting perennial seeds, this forum is the best. Feel free to email me directly if you have questions. I'm a perenn-seedaholic (perennial seed saving addict), same as many others on this forum. If it blooms, I check it for seedpods. If I can't find seedpods, I harvest the spent blooms. The seeds have to be inside SOMEWHERE so I figure if I get the flower, I've automatically got the seeds.

I'm watching my Siberian iris seedpods like a hawk even though they multiply like rabbits. I figure the seed is good for trading if nothing else.

I'm currently growing a white/yellow one called 'Butter & Sugar' as well as a pale blue one called 'Sky Wings.' Both were winter sowed with traded seed and all the seeds sprouted.

Welcome to the wonderful world of winter sowing!!

Doris, we're both right. In the beginning the seed pod is paper-bag colored but not so texturally. Then, after it sits for several months in the natural environment, it loses its brittleness and softens a great deal ;-)

I have tons of those too. My Siberian Iris is 3 years old and it bloomed each year. However, I don't see any spreading. I wasn't aware we can harvest seeds from this plant. Glad this thread was started. :)

I'm still watching my pods like a hawk. lol No change yet but can't wait. My hubby is fixin to make a new bed for me so I figured I'd put them there so they can spread like wildfire in that bed too.

I bet the yellow/white and pale blue ones are beautiful Gardenweed. I have the common dark purplish ones. I actually didn't know the siberians came in different colors. :-)

hosta, it can takes weeks and weeks and weeks for them to mature--it takes patience.

As much as I'd like to have instant gratification, I know it will be a while. I just meant that I'd have a spot for them when they are ready. :-)

As I'm sitting here posting and reading, I'm quietly giggling and my hubby is LOL'ing at me. We're actually camping this weekend but I'm still on my phone reading & posting about flowers. Does that mean I have the 'bug?'

What a great forum! :-)