If I could grow only one flower.
I often daydream about this question: if I could only grow one flower for the rest of my life, what would it be?
Not simply a gardener of flowers, but a true devotee of one kind.
The sort of grower who hunts down old varieties, keeps journals filled with bloom notes, pins faded clippings of beloved cultivars all around the garden shed.
For me, I think it might just be the iris.
I love them all.
From the delicate wild perennial irises that quietly naturalize themselves along woodland edges, to the dramatic, almost operatic beauty of the great irises.
They possess such presence in the garden: strong upright stems, elegant sword-like foliage, and blooms that feel impossibly extravagant for something grown from a humble rhizome buried in the soil.
My family can firmly attest to the fact that every spring I wait for them daily. Wandering the garden in anticipation, checking each tightly furled bud for signs of opening.
Then making everyone come and witness the splendor of color especially amongst the gentle giants - the incredible bearded iris my all time favorite.
Every year I add a few more to the collection, convinced there is always room for one more and honestly there always is!
Even the name itself enchants me. Had my son August been a girl, Iris would certainly have been high on the list.
Here is a little history I unearthed.
In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, a messenger between heaven and earth, and it is believed the flower earned its name because of the amazing range of colors found within its blooms.
Having been cultivated for centuries, irises have gathered rich symbolism across many cultures.
They are most commonly associated with hope, wisdom, courage, trust, and valor, all rather lovely qualities to have flowering around the home.
Throughout history the iris has also symbolized nobility and royalty, particularly in France and Italy, where it became deeply entwined with aristocratic imagery and heraldry.
But as always, the Victorians took the language of flowers to another level entirely.
In Victorian times, sending irises was a gesture of gratitude, though the meaning shifted depending on the color of the bloom.
Purple irises, perhaps the most iconic of all, symbolized royalty and wisdom.
Yellow irises, unlike many yellow flowers associated with friendship, represented passion.
Blue irises stood for faith and hope, often given to someone awaiting important news, but they also carried a meaning of deep trust and devotion.
White irises symbolised purity, making them a beautiful choice in wedding bouquets.
Types of Irises to love
The iris is one of the most beloved garden plants for good reason. It is a vast genus of more than 200 species belonging to the family Iridaceae, with nearly all species originating from the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Most irises are ornamental perennials that bloom in late spring and early summer, growing either from rhizomes or bulbs.
Their flowers are incredibly architectural, made up of six petals: three outer petals that droop downward, known as the falls, and three upright inner petals called the standards.
The Bearded Iris
Hands down, my all time fav!
All it takes is one look to understand how they earned their name, those soft, fuzzy “beards” spilling down the centre of each fall.
Bearded irises come in both dwarf and towering varieties, in almost every color imaginable.
Some cultivars are brushed and painted with multiple shades on a single bloom, looking more like watercolor paintings than flowers.
There is something deeply theatrical about them. They stand proudly in the border, commanding attention without asking for it, the gentle giants of the blooms.
The Siberian Iris
Graceful and elegant.
Siberian irises are beardless varieties with long, slender foliage and delicate medium-sized blooms that sway beautifully in the breeze.
I especially love them cut for bouquets.
The Japanese Iris
Japanese irises produce large, flattened blooms that almost resemble exotic butterflies hovering above the foliage.
Unlike many irises, they love moisture, making them perfect companions for ponds, water gardens and ducks.
Japanese irises produce large, flattened blooms that almost resemble exotic butterflies hovering above the foliage.
Unlike many irises, they love moisture, making them perfect companions for ponds, water gardens and ducks.
The Dutch Iris
The classic florist’s iris.
Dutch irises have the familiar iris silhouette with upright petals and elegant downturned falls. They come in traditional iris shades of violet, white, yellow, and blue, and are especially loved for cutting gardens and bouquets.
The Harlequin Blueflag Iris
Native to the Northeastern United States, this beautiful wild iris is often found growing in wetlands, though it adapts surprisingly well to drier conditions too.
We have them growing naturally in clumps through the woods, and every spring they stop me in my tracks. There is something especially lovely about discovering irises in the wild, as though nature herself decided to plant a garden.
Perhaps that is why I love them so much.
They return each spring with such quiet beauty, reminding me to slow down and notice the garden waking up again.
And no matter how many bloom each year, the first iris to open still feels so special.
xRebecca
