Iris

Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, irises can be found growing wild throughout the Northern Hemisphere and have long been cultivated for their colourful flowers. In Turkey they are used to decorate graveyards while being an important ingredient in the perfume industry in Italy. They mass in high Himalayan bogs, cling to arid Greek hillsides or even line the banks of British canals.

Although irises are traditionally grown alone, they may also be used in mixed planting and borders. Because they flower for more than six months, from November to June, there is an iris suitable for virtually every part of the garden, whatever the conditions.

Pacific coast iris
Crossing various Californian species has produced the evergreen Pacific Coast irises. These have one of the widest colour ranges of all varieties, usually subdued and with a contrasting, veined mark on the falls. All types require a neutral to acid soil. Unlike most irises, they flower just as well in partial shade as in full sun. Like most non-bearded forms, the clump gradually expands outwards from the centre and should be divided at regular intervals, such as in late August, discarding the central portion.