In Focus: Iris

Iris
Plant

Iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. Wikipedia

Scientific name: Iris
Symbol of: Tennessee
Rank: Genus
Higher classification: Irideae
Lower classifications: Iris albertii, Iris hartwegii, Iris xiphium, Iris bracteata, Iris cristata, Iris fernaldii, Iris pallida, Iris pseudacorus, Iris chrysophylla, Iris confusa, Iris giganticaerulea, Iris tenax, Iris foetidissima, Iris laevigata, Iris munzii, Iris macrosiphon, Iris sibirica, Iris versicolor, Iris spuria, Iris purdyi, Iris missouriensis, Iris lacustris, Iris douglasiana, Iris albicans, Iris oratoria, Iris tenuissima, Iris innominata,Iris orjenii

Iris, a beautiful and amazing plant that is easy to grow and needs little attention through the year. There are many different types and varieties. Simple flowers to amazingly complicated and intricate flowers. I have many varieties of Iris in the garden and they provide colour throughout the year. 

Flag Iris, pictured above. They are in a huge patch on the side of my garden and will need to be trimmed back as they have gone mad a spread very quickly. Although once in flower the yellow carpet of colour is stunning. Once they have finished they will produce huge seed heads which will have plenty of seeds in should you want to propagate them. Although the easiest way is to split the rhizomes at the end of the season and re-position. To split just take a rhizome that has some leaves on and cut it out, make sure there is no dead parts on it and replant. It works for me every time, either the flag Iris or a bearded Iris the concept of splitting is the same. Try to position in a sunny area to get the most from them. 

Bearded Iris like those above and below are amazingly beautiful plants. So complex and stunning. All the ones I have have been grown from a small rhizome I bought from a garden center many years ago. Costing £1 each. I bought 5 to see what would happen. Planted into the garden and these plants in the pictures are the result. The one below again bought from a garden center as a poor almost dead plant for 50p. It was given some love and attention and has blossomed into a well established and healthy plant. Once they have finished flowering I cut off the flower heads and leave until the end of the season. At the end of the season most of the leaves will die back revealing next years growth peaking up. I will cut back this years leaves just leaving the small growth at the bottom. If left the leaves will only die and need to be removed. 

There are bulbs too which are Iris, slightly different to the rhizomes. Just as pretty and usually sold as spring flowers bulbs. Simple to grow, just plant the bulb and wait... Simple. Some will grow early in the season and flower. These are the miniature Iris. Some will grow early and flower later on during the summer and will be a lot taller than the earlier Iris. So there are Iris for most of the year to keep the colour in the garden. Once the bulbs have finished flowering just leave to die back and once they have browned off they will easily pull out to allow for clearing. The Iris will grow back again next year.

Of course my love of photography makes me want to take different and interesting pictures of Iris too. Although I would love to have a true macro lens to get in real close, but i make do with what I have and share them with you.