The cultivar 'Not Quite White' The ruffled flowers are almost white washed in pale lavender. It stands 18 inches high and blooms in mid season, while the thin, grass like foliage remains a highlight throughout the summer. Not Quite White may rebloom. Siberian irises lack the “beard” of colored hairs at the base of each fall that other iris groups have. Typically these irises grow together in thick clumps which keep out weeds. The classic 'Fleur de Lys' which has been a symbol of royalty throughout history was an adaptation of the iris flower. The name Iris was taken from the Greek goddess of the rainbow to symbolize the many colors of this flower.