Iris is a member of the Iridaceae family and has up to 300 species. It grows in temperate Northern hemisphere zones in North America, Europe and Asia. The genus Iris was classified by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, in 1753. Its name is derived from the Greek word for "rainbow" and its first record of cultivation dates back to 1469 BC.
In ancient Egyptian symbolism, the three petals of the iris represented faith, wisdom and valour. Iris symbols have appeared in heraldry throughout the ages, and featured prominently in French history. In 1147, Louis VII, the King of the Franks, adopted the iris emblem and it became known as the "fleur-de-lis." During the French Revolution (1789-1799) one could be guillotined for wearing this symbol of the monarchy!
Irises were known to be grown in the state of Virginia in the early 1600's. They were cultivated on a large scale in Italy in the 19th century for the domestic perfume industry, and rhizomes were exported for manufacture to many countries including the US. The most common iris found in gardens is the Bearded Iris (named for its drooping fuzzy petals) and is a hybrid with many cultivars. They are easy to grow in our Saskatchewan climate. When planting an iris, leave part of the rhizome (fleshy root) exposed, or it will not bloom. Divide the rhizomes every few years to renew the plants.
Did you know that Saskatchewan has a native iris? The Blue Flag Iris, Iris Versicolor, ranges from eastern North America all the way to Eastern Saskatchewan. It is considered critically threatened in our province, but due to wetter conditions in the past several years, it is faring better. The Blue Flag Iris grows along streams and moist meadows and ponds. It is not as showy as another moisture-loving iris, the Japanese Iris, but the Blue Flag Iris is hardier for our climate. One should never dig up a wild iris, but they can be purchased through nurseries. In Native Plants for the Short Season Yard: Best Picks for the Chinook and Canadian Prairie Zones, Lyndon Penner has written a section on growing this native plant.