Iris flower

Vincent van Gogh irises

There are more than 150 kinds of irises. These popular, hardy flowers are easily grown in gardens throughout the United States. Most irises bloom in the early summer. The flowers appear in many colors and combinations of colors. Iris was a mythical messenger of the gods who traveled along the rainbow. Her clothing shimmered with colors of the rain­bow.
The iris flower has a distinct form which has been used in design for centuries. The fleur-de-lis is an iris design which is the national symbol of France.
Iris flowers are divided in threes. Three petal-like parts which droop down are called falls. The three which stand upright are called standards. Three straplike parts that are between the falls and standards are the style branches.




Some facts about irises

There are over three hundred species of irises.

In the U.S. irises are also known as Flags.

In ancient Egypt the iris flower was a symbol for life.

Fleur-de-lis means Flower of the Lily in French.

The Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh painted some pictures of irises.