Note: This article is a sidebar to “Cultivating Regional Beauty One iris at a Time,” also from June 21, 2023, about Hamilton resident George Hilton.
While an iris by any other name is an iris too, there is more to them than a quick glance, as the following the following fun facts demonstrate:
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, “There are approximately 280 species of irises in the world. The majority of them are native to Europe and Asia. Even though the imported garden irises are very beautiful, the 28 iris species native to the United States are beautiful in their own right.”
The perennial bulbous or rhizomatous plants are the largest genus of the family Iridaceae. That’s an order of Asparagales, group that includes orchids and asparagus. The name was coined by 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus.
A Home and Gardens Magazine connects irises to the Greeks and says in “Greek mythology, the goddess Iris delivered messages to the gods, traveling on rainbows to get from heaven to earth and back. Ancient Greeks would plant irises on the graves of their loved ones in hopes that the goddess Iris would help connect their souls to heaven.”
Although contemporary images of irises are connected to paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe and Vincent van Gogh, the above article says the earliest art work of an iris can be found on an a circa 2100 BC fresco found in King Minos’ palace on the island of Crete.
Furthermore, continues H&G, “Irises have more of a purpose than just something pretty to look at. Historically, parts of iris plants have been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
“(And) the iris species symbolizes eloquence, which stems from the goddess Iris being a messenger. But within the species, each color also carries its own meaning—keep this symbolism in mind the next time you send someone irises. For example, purple irises represent admiration and wisdom, while blue is a symbol of faith and hope. Yellow irises are said to symbolize passion, and white represents purity.”
In other articles and studies, it has been noted that the France’s King Clovis I seized upon the iris’ symbolic power and employed it as an emblem, creating the fleur-de-lis.
While there is no easily accessible information regarding the international or national iris market, a report showed that one of the nation’s largest iris growers, Schreiner’s Iris Gardens in Oregon, annually yields an estimated $2,400,000.
As for popularity, a quick review of different sights suggest that tall bearded irises are the national favorite — including Schreiner’s top seller, the German Iris.
