Origin: Europe
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Types: Bearded, beardless and dutch
A Bit of History: Irises are among the easiest of perennials to grow from bulbs, roots or rhizomes. The genus includes some 250-300 species featuring showy flowers. In fact, the iris takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. A perfect name for flowers that bloom in a rainbow of colors!
What Makes It so Different? Each iris flower has two types of petals, the “standard” petal stands upright and includes the three top petals. The lower three petals, the “falls,” curve downwards.
Breeders: Longfield Gardens, Brent and Becky’s, Jung Seed, Graden Trends, Breck’s, Harris Seeds, American Meadows, Dutch grown, Park Seed, Burpee
Editor’s Note: We realize irises are not grown from seed but wanted to recognize the efforts of breeders in giving consumers more choice.
Source: National Garden Bureau
