The recent rains have done wonders for the garden and among many flowering shrubs, the iris is one of the most beautiful.
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Many can be seen throughout Tamworth at the present time.
Iris is derived from the Greek word for rainbow, referring to the many colours of their flowers.
From the northern hemisphere, they consist of a large and varied genus of about 200 species comprising of either a bulb or a rhyzome.
Irises can be used as a cut flower, ideally cutting when in bud to open when brought indoors.
Irises are divided into three main categories: Spanish, Dutch and English. English iris flower from June onwards.
The Spanish variety are scented and flower in September and October, with the Dutch Iris flowering about two weeks later into November.
There are many different colours from yellow, champagne, blue, pink, white, purple and orange.
Irises should be planted in March and April about 7-8cm. Cut the leaves to about half their length.
To identify names and colours, place labels beside each plant.
Another category of iris is the Japanese variety kaempferi, a beautiful horizontal purple iris, often used in ponds. A blue dwarf variety which flowers in winter is iris histroides.
Now into November, it is a good time to mulch the garden and to plant dahlia tubers for summer flowering. If dahlias are turning yellow, a little dolomite or iron chelate should assist in changing the colour.
Sulphate of ammonia can be used to fertilise lawns.
Happy gardening until next month.
Iris history
From www.proflowers.com
With striking uniqueness and beauty, irises have rich meanings, and when given as gifts, they can convey deep sentiments.
The iris’s history is rich, dating back to Ancient Greek times when the Greek Goddess Iris, the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow, acted as the link between heaven and earth.
Purple irises were planted over the graves of women to summon the goddess to guide the dead in their journey.
Ancient Egyptian kings marveled in the iris’s exotic nature, and drawings have been found of the flower in a number of Egyptian palaces.
During the Middle Ages, the meaning of irises became linked to the French monarchy, and the Fleur-de-lis eventually became the recognised national symbol of France.
From their earliest years, irises were used to make perfume and as a medicinal remedy.