Irises captivate with their elegant shape and wealth of colours, from snow-white and lemon to deep violet and almost black. The genus has around 300 species, and tens of thousands of garden cultivars have been registered. No wonder this flower has so many legends, names and meanings. Here are the most interesting. More flowers with photos, names and meanings are in our guide to types of flowers. More flowers in this colour are in blue flowers.
Fresh flowers for your home or as a gift: flower baskets and flowers in a box.
The name comes from the Greek word for rainbow. Iris was the messenger of the Olympian gods, who travelled down to people along the rainbow. One legend says irises grew wherever the rainbow touched the ground, which is why they come in so many colours. In Ukraine irises are affectionately called “pivnyky” — little roosters.
On 5 May Japan celebrates Tango no Sekku, originally Boys’ Day and now Children’s Day. Homes are decorated with sword-like shōbu leaves, and people bathe with them for luck and health. The word shōbu sounds like a phrase meaning “respect for the martial spirit”. Strictly speaking, traditional shōbu is sweet flag, a plant often confused with iris; true Japanese irises, hanashōbu, flower a little later, in June, and have whole gardens devoted to them.
Overall, the iris stands for wisdom, hope, trust and nobility. A bouquet of irises suits a teacher, mentor, colleague or a man, and blue irises pair beautifully with yellow flowers in arrangements in Ukraine’s national colours. Read more about flower symbolism in the language of flowers.
Garden irises are easy-going but dislike shade and damp. If yours won’t flower, see why irises don’t flower, and for species and cultivars see types of irises. Cut irises last 5–7 days in a vase: cut them when the buds show colour and change the water daily. Iris rhizomes are toxic to cats and dogs.
Cut spent flower stems at the base straight away so the plant does not waste energy on seed. Leave the leaves until autumn, as they feed the rhizome. When they start to yellow in late September–October, trim them into a fan 10–15 cm high to reduce disease and overwintering pests.
Bearded iris clumps spread and flower less over time, so divide them every 3–5 years, 3–4 weeks after flowering in July–August. Each piece needs a section of rhizome with a fan of leaves. Plant shallowly: the top of a bearded iris rhizome should sit slightly above the soil, or it may not flower.
Respect, trust, hope and admiration. Blue irises stand for loyalty, yellow ones for friendship and passion.
The folk name “pivnyky” is linked to the shape of the flower, which resembles a rooster’s comb.
About a week if you change the water every day; the buds open one after another.
Iris bouquets are available with delivery in Kyiv from UFL.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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