Irises are a popular cut flower, often found in mixed arrangements with roses or lilies. They are also quite striking on their own. Dating back several thousand years, the iris flower has long been associated with both royalty and heaven.
Irises are named for the Greek goddess Iris who was said to travel to and from the heavens on a rainbow. Since ancient times, Greek people have planted these purple flowers on the graves of loved ones to appeal to Iris to lead the departed to heaven. The ancient Egyptians similarly connected the iris flower with divinity and the journey to the afterlife.
More recently, iris has become the birth flower for the month of February. It is the traditional flower for the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Iris is also the inspiration for the French royal symbol, the fleur-de-lis.
If you wish to send a message of hope and trust to a loved one, irises are an excellent choice. If you want to give a gift that will last for years to come, consider irises to plant in the garden.
Irises are known to be low-maintenance and easy to grow. There are varieties that will thrive in a broad range of climates and almost any growing conditions.
There are as many as three hundred identified species of irises, varying in height, petal formation and methods of growth and propagation. Different types of irises bloom from early spring to late summer, providing brilliant colors throughout the growing season.
The Siberian iris is native to eastern Europe and central Asia. The narrow leaves have been compared to grasses and the colors are primarily in the blue to violet family. They frequently display a white stripe or veining in the petals.
Flag irises are semi-aquatic and thrive in very damp soil conditions. Some flag irises are mistaken for Siberian irises, and vice versa, due to similarities in the formation of the petals. Flag irises range from dwarf varieties to those reaching 3 feet tall.
Commonly found in shades of purples, yellows, and white, rock garden irises are petite in size. Most reach only 4 to 6 inches in height. They bloom in early April and coordinate nicely with daffodils and crocuses that bloom at the same time.
Bearded irises have a raised “fuzzy” patch near the base of the downward petals, or falls. Blooming later than many other varieties, bearded irises are among the most prevalent types of iris found in many gardens today.
Whether you opt for cut irises or perennial plants for the garden, the gift of an iris sends a regal message. Irises are a divinely inspired token of affection.
Because of its long history, the Iris carries additional meanings in some regions of the world. In France, for instance, about 800 years ago it was taken by royalty as a symbol of the crown, and so now the French ascribe to the iris the meanings of perfection, life and light. When England lay claim to the French throne (in 1338, during the reign of Edward III, as all you historians will no doubt recall), the iris, and its stylized version, the “Fleur de Lys”, became part of English heraldry. It survives today in the coat of arms of Prince Charles. In Japan, enjoyment of the iris was restricted to royalty in times past; now they mean heroism. 
With such a long history of cultivation, and being native to much of Europe (as well as the Middle East, North Africa, North America and parts of Asia), it’s no surprise that the flower name for the iris comes from Ancient Greek mythology. Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, who brought messages from the gods at the top of Mount Olympus, to the humans on the surface of the Earth. Greek men planted purple iris flowers at the graves of the women they loved, hoping that they would call the goddess Iris to guide them on their journey to the afterlife.