Susan Durisek’s blog

Have you notced all the iris plooms I took a vacation to Italy earlier this month, just in time to see the International Iris Competition in Florence.  It makes sense that this region would be a great place for an Iris Competition.  The city symbol, like that of France, is a fleur-de-lys, or iris blossom, and the city’s name itself means ‘flowering’.  Tuscany was once a major agricultural iris grower, because the climate is perfect, and  the plant’s roots or rhizomes are a source of orris powder, which was a fixative once used in the perfume industry.  Synthetic products eliminated the need for the plant material, and now only wild survivors can be found along roadsides.  Still, every May since 1954, hybridizers of tall and German bearded irises have competed for the the premier prize in Florences’ International Iris Competition, and the irises are gorgeous.  Rhizomes are planted and tended for three years by a gardener in the park’s Iris Garden, just below the replica of the famous statue of David standing in the Piazzale Michelangelo, which overlooks the city from atop one of the surrounding hills.  The third year, when the irises have reached a strong point in their growing cycle, they’re judged by an  team of experts.   For more information about the Italian Iris Sockety, check out this  Website  The photos were taken at year’s competition, held earlier in May.

Want more Iris Info? 

For a book review of the new publication  

The Iris Family: Natural History and Classification  

by Peter Goldblatt and John C. Manning    … click HERE.