If you were wandering through a garden containing irises you would undoubtedly be drawn to their strong lines and vibrant colors. Sharp leaves appearing as large green swords shoot out of the ground arrayed like a large fan. Bright blooms rise above in almost architectural lines, with most varieties containing three petals (actually sepals called 'falls') which lay down forming a base, and three petals pointing straight up (true petals called 'standards'). The petals are usually large and appear very delicate, with a velvet texture and may be 'bearded' (a term used to describe a yellow hair-like feature down the middle of the petals). There are dwarf varieties as well. Lean in and a luxurious scent completes the effect of the gorgeous bloom. The iris gets it name from the Greek word for rainbow, so named because of the many colors represented within its abundant species. This plant is a little unusual in that the word 'iris' is its scientific name, as well as its common name. The common name 'iris' is used for all of the proper species of the Iris genus, as well as some close relatives.
These lovely blooms appear to form houses for happy insects and birds. Amazingly enough, that's all part of the plan. This 'house' provides the perfect way for insects to gather and transfer pollen, complete with a 'mud room' you might say. The three lower petals form a base for the insects to land and from which to work (our mud room of sorts). Because of the way the stigma is placed, the insects have to reach by it in order to get at the new nectar within the flower. As they do, they leave pollen from previous flowers they have visited. As they back into the 'mud room', nothing is sticky there to catch the pollen received from inside the house. Therefore, as they leave one flower with a new load, none of the pollen is wasted on the same flower; it is carried on to the next iris to be deposited. This amazingly clever design comes with the added benefit (and necessity) of creating tall, beautiful blooms.
Irises grow in many northern temperate regions around the globe including parts of North America, Europe, northern Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In these areas, different species flourish in diverse conditions, from cold climates beside streambeds to hot desert lands, and everything in between. The plant is a rhizome in most cases, however in drier regions it grows from simple bulbs instead. The rhizomes (long spreading root bulbs) of Irises can be separated in the fall to create more plants for the following spring season. They are perennials, and most varieties are quite hearty. They typically bloom for a relatively short season in late spring, but newer varieties are being developed which will bloom again and again into the fall. Shades of purple, from dark to pale lavender and white varieties are extremely popular, but irises also come in blues, yellows, burgundies, peaches and pinks as well as combinations of these colors. Irises are a timeless tradition in gardens, and add an elegant touch in arrangements as well.