Iris plant. Growing iris in open ground on a personal plot: features of the variety What does iris look like

This flower has been known to people for a very long time. Images of the iris were found in Crete among the paintings of the Knossos Palace, built at the end of the 3rd millennium BC.

For its variegated flowers of all colors of the rainbow, this plant is named after the Greek goddess Iris, who descended to earth to announce to people the will of the gods. And the name “iris,” which means “rainbow” in Greek, was given to the plant by the physician and naturalist Hippocrates.

The iris also appeared on the coat of arms of the city of Florence. The Romans named the city, surrounded by white iris plantations, Florence, which means “blooming.”

In Japan, iris protected homes from harmful influences. In any Japanese family with sons, on the traditional Boys' Day (the fifth day of the fifth moon), a magical talisman ("May pearl") is prepared from iris and orange flowers on this day, since in Japanese the same hieroglyphs indicate the names of iris and the words "warrior spirit". “May pearls,” according to legend, should instill courage in the soul of a young man: even the leaves of the plant are very similar to swords.

For Christians, the iris symbolizes purity and protection, but it also became a symbol of sorrow and pain, the reason for which was its sharp wedge-shaped leaves, which seemed to personify the suffering and sadness of the Mother of God’s heart from the suffering of Christ. The blue iris is especially common as such a symbol in images of the Virgin. The iris can also symbolize the virgin birth.

As a religious symbol, the iris first appears in the paintings of the early Flemish masters, and in images of the Virgin Mary it is present both with and instead of the lily. This symbolic meaning is due to the fact that the name “iris” means “lily with a sword,” which is seen as an allusion to Mary’s grief for Christ.

The Legend of the Iris
A miracle flower bloomed at one edge of the forest. Forest animals and birds began to argue about who it belonged to. They argued for four days, and the dispute resolved itself. The iris seeds ripened, and the wind carried them in different directions.

According to legend, the first iris blossomed several million years ago and was so beautiful that not only animals, birds and insects came to admire it, but also water and wind, which then spread the ripened seeds throughout the earth. And when the seeds sprouted and blossomed, the iris became one of man’s favorite plants. From a distance, irises seem like small beacons showing the way to sailors.

Florence was called Florence by the Romans only because irises grew in abundance around this Etruscan settlement, and the literal translation from Latin into Russian “Florence” means “blooming”. Since then, the Florentine iris has graced the city coat of arms of Florence.

This type of iris has also become famous for the fact that for a long time they learned to extract fragrant essential oil with the aroma of violets from its rhizome. That is why the rhizome of this iris is called orris root. This natural fragrance was used in royal dressing rooms as early as the 15th century. From 1 kg of rhizomes, an average of 7 g of essential oil is obtained, which is used in perfumery. Fragrant substances are also extracted from flowers.

The flower received its name from the hands of the famous healer Hippocrates, who named the plant in honor of the ancient Greek goddess Iris, who proclaimed the will of the Olympian gods to people. The goddess Iris descended along a rainbow to the earth, which is why the word “Iris” translated from Greek means rainbow. Carl Linnaeus, who proposed a unified system of scientific names for plants, retained its ancient name for the iris.

And here is another legend about irises. One day, the rainbow fell into pieces before disappearing. Wonderful fragments of the rainbow fell to the ground and charming flowers sprouted. The rainbow crumbled into small fragments - and the irises bloomed. They sprouted, according to Pomeranian legend, from the tears of a fisherman who often mourned separation from her husband.

Another legend tells. When the titan Prometheus stole the heavenly fire on Olympus and gave it to people, a wondrous seven-colored rainbow flashed on earth - so great was the joy of all living things in the world. The sunset had already faded, and the day had faded, and the sun had gone, but the rainbow still shone over the world, giving people hope. It didn't go out until dawn. And when in the morning the sun returned to its place again, where the magical rainbow burned and shimmered with colors, irises bloomed...

Iris flowers have been known to man since ancient times. On the island of Crete, a fresco that was located on the wall of the Knossos Palace depicts a priest surrounded by blooming irises. This fresco is about 4000 years old. Iris flowers are imprinted in the stone of Oriental and Roman galleries and balustrades. In the Middle Ages, they grew in the gardens of castles and monasteries, from where they were transferred to the gardens of townspeople. Even in ancient times, Arabs planted wild iris with white flowers on graves. And in Ancient Egypt it was bred back in the 16th-15th centuries BC, and it was a symbol of eloquence there. In Arabia, on the contrary, they were a symbol of silence and sadness.

In Russia, the word "Iris" appeared as a botanical name for plants in the second half of the 19th century, and before this period they used the popular name "Iris", the inhabitants of Ukraine called irises "Cockerel". In Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia, the iris is called Perunika - in honor of the Slavic god Perun.

The Slavic peoples widely used a rainbow range of colors and shades and bizarre forms of iris inflorescences. They could be seen in folk crafts, in the textile industry, as well as in decorating everyday life: painting homes, utensils, clothes (in the ornament of shirts, sundresses, towels, shawls and half-shawls).

The rhizome of this flower is called “orris root”, and its aroma really resembles the faint smell of violets. In this article we will talk about existing types and varieties of irises. You will learn how to properly plant a crop and how to care for it so that its cultivation in open ground is successful.

Iris (the Russian name for the flower is iris) is a rhizomatous perennial with sword-shaped leaves with a waxy coating and thin, fibrous roots.

Multi-colored iris flowers (petal color ranges from white to dark purple), similar in appearance to orchids, have a pleasant faint aroma. Some varieties of garden irises have a “beard” on the lower petals. Flowering of irises begins in May and continues until June: each individual flower remains decorative for about a week. The seeds of the plant ripen in autumn, in triangular capsules that contain from 25 to 45 seeds.

Modern types and varieties of irises are so diverse, beautiful and fragrant that it is difficult to make a choice when growing in open ground in favor of any one variety.

Varieties and varieties of iris

There are main varieties of irises that are grown in summer cottages, in open ground in parks and squares, and used in arranging compositions in landscape design.

Bearded iris(I. barbata) - this species is in turn divided into three subspecies, depending on the height of the plant:

low-growing - plant height does not exceed 40 cm;
medium-sized - plants reach a height of up to 70 cm;
tall - above 70 cm.

The species received its name for the decorative “beard” that adorns the lower petals of the flower in the middle part. The color of bearded iris flowers varies from pale blue to dark purple. Breeders have developed a huge number of new varieties of bearded iris, including two-colored ones with edged petals. These varieties are very decorative, compact, with large flowers and an exciting aroma.

Iris Russian(I. ruthenia Ker-Gawler) - forms low dense “pillows” - curtains. Varieties of Russian iris bloom with medium-sized flowers of pale colors. It tolerates short-term soil drying out well. In landscape design, it is used to design rocky hills and rock gardens, where rare watering is required.

Siberian iris, which is actually called iris, is a tall plant, reaching 1 m. The flowers are rich, purple with shades of blue. Siberian iris and its hybrids bred by breeders are classified as a separate subspecies of irises: limniris. Plants of this subgroup do not have a “beard” on the limb of the petals.

Swamp iris, or yellow, grows in nature along the banks of lakes, rivers, and along the slopes of wet ravines. It can develop and bloom well on saline soils and at high outside temperatures. These varieties of iris are successfully used in landscape design to decorate artificial reservoirs: outdoor pools, ponds, waterfalls; iris tolerates excessive watering and looks great when planted decoratively.

Iris smooth(I. laevigata Fisch) – growing at high air humidity; requires abundant watering. Planted near water bodies.

Germanic iris– with sword-like leaves and flowers on tall, strong peduncles, up to 90 cm long. The plant is suitable for arranging bouquets and is grown for cutting.

Iris dwarf– a low plant, reaching a total size of 10 cm. It forms dense clumps when grown in open ground. Small flowers have a variety of colors.

Kaempfer's Iris(another name is xiphoid iris) refers to late varieties of species irises. Leaves 30-40 cm high frame the flat flowers of the xiphoid iris. Peduncles reach 60-70 cm.

Japanese iris- a wide variety of irises, which is divided into subgroups depending on the size of the flower. The cultivation of these varieties is most preferable due to the highly decorative nature of the flowers. Japanese irises often form double flowers at different times (early, mid, late, very late). Japanese iris flowers are painted in all shades of rich purple. Flowers of this subgroup do not tolerate wintering well.

Planting a plant

Irises - planting and caring for plants of all botanical species in open ground is approximately the same.

Foreign breeders have developed varieties of tuberous irises, the cultivation of which is not difficult. These flowers are small in height and have narrow, graceful petals of bright, rich colors. Planting material is sold in the fall; planting is done before winter.

To plant the bulbs, a trench is dug and the excavated soil is mixed with:

sand;
double superforsat;
crushed coal;
fresh garden soil.

In the prepared grooves, the bottom of which is sprinkled with sand (you can spill it with a pink solution of potassium permanganate, epin or heteroauxin), the iris bulbs are laid out with the sprout facing up.

Important! Do not bury the bulbs too deep into the ground. Rule: small onion plants are usually planted at a depth of 3 times the height of the bulb.

Planting small-bulbed irises does not require watering; the moisture that was used to water the planting furrow is sufficient. The soil on top needs to be lightly compacted so that birds cannot pull out the bulbs before they take root. Small bulbous irises will begin to bloom next spring.

Growing. Bearded irises

Planting bearded irises requires compliance with certain rules:

Do not add fresh manure, compost or nitrogen fertilizers to the garden bed when planting.
Chalk or lime should be added to acidic soil first. Soil acidity should be reduced.
It is not allowed to plant iris rhizomes in dense, compacted soil. Preliminary digging of the soil using a spade and adding sand will make the soil more suitable for growing your irises in open ground.
The rhizomes of bearded irises are not buried in the soil: the buds should be at the level of the top layer of soil.

Proper care

Iris in landscape design

Very often, iris is used when planting in parks, squares, and when decorating areas in landscape design. The huge variety of varieties and species, as well as the high stability of the plant itself, allow the wider use of this crop for landscaping. Curtains of different varieties of irises look great on a lawn carpet.

Mono-plantings of iris crops decorate urban areas and do not require serious care. This crop has the advantage of being planted for many years in one place and maintaining a decorative appearance.

Caring for irises: video

Varieties of irises: photo

Irises - general information, classification

General information

Iris (family Iris). In common parlance, killer whale, cockerel. It grows naturally in Europe, Asia, North America and on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. In total, up to 250 species of iris have been described. In our country, it is distributed in the Central Asian republics, Transcaucasia, the Caucasus, Moldova, Siberia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Non-Black Earth zone of the Russian Federation and other zones, where there are up to 60 wild species.

Some representatives of the iris genus have adapted to growing in damp places along river banks and in low places, others - on dry calcareous slopes and even in saline areas. The wide range of the genus indicates the great ecological plasticity of this plant. For example, Russian iris grows successfully under natural conditions in Siberia, the Carpathians, and Central Asia.

Iris is a fairly well-wintering perennial polycarpic herbaceous monocotyledonous plant with broadly or narrowly xiphoid linear vaginal basal leaves located in fan-shaped bunches at the top of growing vegetative shoots. The leaves are arranged alternately in one plane and pressed tightly against one another. Depending on the varietal and biological characteristics and age of the plant, the fan-shaped bunch consists of 6–10 leaves, with the exception of more than 12.

Depending on the type of iris leaf length varies greatly:

in undersized forms from 5 to 10 cm
in powerfully developed species, leaves reach a length of 2 m
in cultivars belonging to the garden iris, the length of the leaf blade reaches 6–110 cm with a width of 2.5–6 cm.

The color of the leaves at the beginning of the growing season is light green, by the flowering period when a waxy coating appears, it becomes dark green with a bluish tint. The leaves are rigid, with coarse parallel nervescence and a large amount of sclerenchymal tissue, which contributes to their strength.

Some types of iris, such as Siberian iris, are quite shade-tolerant, can grow successfully and bloom regularly in shady places. Cultivated varieties of garden hybrid iris are demanding on lighting. They can grow satisfactorily in shady places, but abundant annual flowering, as a rule, occurs when planted in open sunny areas. In the southern regions of our country, with an abundance of sun, light shading of plants is sometimes useful.

Classification of irises

In horticultural practice, a simplified classification is usually used, which often does not take into account the degree of genetic relationship between plants. Abroad, it is widely accepted to divide irises into 13 or 17 groups.

Without violating the general principle, the iris growers of our country proposed to divide garden irises into 10 groups:

bearded,
Aril and Arilbreds,
Louisiana,
Pacific coast irises,
Siberian,
spuria,
Hana-shobu, or Japanese,
Evansia,
remontant,
little known.

Modern varieties used in culture with a complex genetic nature, originating from both intervarietal and interspecific crossings and belonging to the bearded group, are united under the name Germanic iris, or garden hybrid iris. According to the height of the peduncle, all varieties are divided into undersized - up to 40 cm, medium-sized - from 40 to 70 cm and tall - over 70 cm; according to the size of the flowers - small-flowered (width within the bend of the outer lobes 6-8 cm), medium - perianth width from 8 to 10 cm, large-flowered - over 10 cm; according to the color of the perianth lobes - into one-color, two-color and plicate.

The iris rhizome is the vegetative underground stem of the plant. It has a stem growing point and cambial cells. Scales (modified leaves) are formed at the nodes of the rhizome. In the axils of the scales, vegetative buds are laid and formed, giving rise to new underground thickened shoots. The latter are connected to each other by constrictions. On the constrictions there are visible traces of the attachment of leaves from previous years and there may be dormant buds, which, as a rule, do not awaken during the normal development of the plant in favorable seasons.

The rhizome consists of shortened and thickened annual segments, called links in practice. The development of each such link usually lasts two years. Almost three growing seasons pass from the initiation of a vegetative bud in the leaf axils to the death of the generative shoot. On the young (juvenile) annual link of the rhizome, intensive formation and differentiation of vegetative buds begins in early July. At the end of July, a generative bud is formed, the differentiation and formation of which most actively occurs in late August - September. By the end of October - beginning of November, the formation of all inflorescence organs and flowers is completed and everything is covered with involucre leaves.

In the next year of life of the link, leaves develop from the vegetative buds, in the axils of which new buds are laid and formed. A generative shoot develops from a generative bud. After the seeds ripen, the peduncle dies off. At the base of the dying peduncle, two large vegetative buds are formed on the vegetative shoot, from which new annual links with lateral vegetative and central generative buds develop the next year.

Adult iris plants on poor soils with poor care and insufficient moisture supply do not lay flower buds annually, and the annual links of the vegetative shoot are shortened and thinned. All lateral buds become dormant, and the rhizome loses its ability to branch. Such a rhizome usually forms only vegetative organs over several years. After accumulating a sufficient amount of reserve substances, the plant begins to flower, forming cyclic shoots.

Annual shoots of the rhizome - links in cultivated varieties can reach a length of 8–15 cm with a thickness of up to 5 cm and, as a rule, carry a huge supply of nutrients, primarily in the form of complex carbohydrates. New links grow to the sides and slightly upward, which allows the plant to grow in a circle. Young links, exposed and emerging on the soil surface, move away from the place where the plant was initially planted, but the connection between them remains.

The viability of the rhizome depends on the species and varietal characteristics, as well as on the meteorological conditions of the growing area. In the southern regions of Ukraine and Moldova, the rhizome dies off in the 6th–8th year, in the Non-Chernozem zone - in the 3rd–5th year.

The rhizome grows on the upper side, and gradually dies off on the lower side, which leads to the separation of young plants, that is, the rhizome ruptures in the center of the plant. In garden and park plantings, an overgrown plant with an empty middle loses its decorative effect. In addition, old plants are more susceptible to fungal diseases.

Young, actively functioning rhizomes are covered with vaginal leaves and have developed cord-like adventitious roots on the underside. These roots are located almost vertically down. On well-cultivated soils, iris roots are able to penetrate to a depth of more than 50 cm.

The rhizomes of most iris species are located in the very top layer of soil or spread on its surface. In varieties of garden hybrid iris, during the period of growth of links, the rhizome rises somewhat. Then the powerfully developing contractile roots of the second wave of growth, going deeper into the soil, contract, retract and firmly hold the rhizome. If iris plants are not replanted for a long time (some varieties and species can grow in one place for up to 8–10 years), then individual links are forced to the surface. Such plantings spud and insulate before wintering.

In the place where the leaves are attached, after they die off, leaf scars remain on the annual link of the rhizome. The withered flowering stem at the top of the rhizome leaves depressions that are covered with cork tissue. Healing depends on agricultural technology, conditions of the growing season and determines the duration of viability of the entire rhizome. When digging up an old rhizome, you can accurately determine the age of the plant and the alternation of favorable and unfavorable seasons by the number of leaf marks on its annual links. The recesses in the upper part of the rhizome can determine the frequency of flowering.

Iris flowers

The garden hybrid iris has three types of generative shoots:

sessile,
short-branched,
long-branched.

The flowering stem is quite tall, erect, cylindrical, strong and durable due to the development of mechanical tissue, reaching a height of 100 cm. By the end of flowering (during the formation of seeds), the flowering stem becomes hollow.

The iris flower is bisexual, single-covered, simple, with bracts sitting at the ends of the peduncles. In most species, the perianth has six petals, arranged, like the gladiolus, in two circles: three on the outside, three on the inside. The three outer perianth lobes are often bent downwards, sometimes located more vertically. The three inner lobes are raised, often meeting at the ends. This unusual arrangement of the inner and outer perianth lobes makes the flower very unique.

The upper wide part of the petal is usually called the plate, and the lower part, tapering and thickening towards the base, is called the marigold. The narrowed parts of the perianth grow together at the bases, forming a tube, the length of which depends on the type of plant. The outer lobes play a major role in the opening and closing mechanism of the flower.

The beard of the garden hybrid iris consists of multicellular hairs along which insects penetrate to the nectaries. Nectar-bearing glands are located at the base of the filament and fill small cavities with nectar. The uneven hairy surface of the beard causes insects to rise when moving along the petals. Touching the stigma of the pistil, they apply pollen with their backs that fell on them when visiting other iris flowers. If the beard has a contrasting color compared to the color of the flower, then the decorative effect of the latter benefits from this.

This plant has a pronounced proterandry, that is, the anthers burst and pollen spills out of them before the stigma of the pistil is ready for its perception. Pollen remains viable on the flower for 2–3 days. On the inflorescence, the flowers open sequentially from top to bottom. At the same time, from 1 to 5 flowers can bloom on the inflorescence.

Early flowering species and varieties in the Non-Chernozem zone bloom in the first half of May, late - in July. Therefore, with the right selection of varieties and species, the flowering of irises can be extended up to 80 days.

The fruit is a membranous capsule that cracks from above, brown or brownish-straw in color, filled with large ribbed wingless seeds that have a wedge-shaped, elongated-rounded or ovoid shape. There are 10–24 seeds in a box. The seeds have light or dark brown shades.

Belongs to the iris family. There are approximately 250 different varieties that grow in Europe and Asia, North America, and some regions of Africa. About 60 different species are found in Russia. Plants mainly grow in open spaces, on the banks of water bodies, in steppe and desert zones. Iris is a distant relative of gladiolus.

Iris plant: description

This is a perennial and unique herbaceous plant with a strong rhizome. There are two types of shoots - vegetative and generative. Thin leaves with a waxy coating are united by fan-shaped bunches at the base of the peduncles.

Some varieties have no stem leaves or very few of them. Single flowers are located in inflorescences; they have a unique aroma and elegant shape. There is a huge palette of shades from snow-white to dark purple. Large and beautiful flowers are made up of six petal-shaped lobes. The three outer lobes tend to slope slightly downwards.

Iris plant: characteristics and description of varieties

Iris boasts a variety of colors and long flowering times. Popular varieties:

Bearded is the most popular among garden irises. On the outer petals at the base there are stripes of hairs, which are very noticeable against the general background. There are short, medium and large plants. Height reaches 70 cm.
The Siberian iris plant is distributed from northern Italy to Lake Baikal. This species is also found in the Caucasus, Turkey and the Komi Republic. On a branched stem there are several huge leaves. Magnificent flowers are located on pedicels. Light gray seeds were hidden in the box.
Dwarf is common in arid cereal steppes. In addition, it can be found on lime slopes and sands. The iris reaches a height of no more than 15 cm. The leaves are bluish in color. Peduncle about 3 cm high, the plant begins to bloom in May. It tolerates moisture very well.
Dutch has a special underground organ instead of a rhizome, which contains reserves of nutrients. The stem has dense, narrowly grooved leaves. The peduncle grows on average 80 cm. The flower can be one-color or two-tone. This variety is very thermophilic and in winter needs protection from wind and cold.
The marsh iris plant has attractive bright yellow flowers, decorated with gnarled streaks. Blooms from early May to June. This variety is heat-loving and winter-hardy, loves direct sunlight. In the wild, it grows mainly near floodplains of rivers and banks of reservoirs. It can be seen in Europe, China and the Far East.
Ensiform is considered a late-flowering variety. The leaves are not wide and do not exceed 40 cm in height. The flowers are flat with small inner and wide outer petals. The height of the peduncle is approximately 70 cm. It begins to bloom in mid-summer and blooms until the end of August.

Brief characteristics of the iris plant:

Bearded irises get their name from their colored hairs located on the outer perianth lobes. The hairs resemble a beard in appearance.

Siberian varieties are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and resistance to frost. In addition, cut leaves have decorative value.

Japanese irises can be divided only after five to seven years, as they have a longer decorative effect and yield. In early spring or autumn, division of this species is carried out.

There are three groups of irises:

low-growing - the height of the peduncle is 20-35 cm;
medium-sized - peduncle from 35 to 70 cm;
tall - peduncle more than 70 cm.

Peculiarities

Depending on the species, the iris plant (planting and care of which are described below) also has different root systems. They are thin, fibrous, fleshy and few-branched. The leaves are usually xiphoid, with a waxy coating, and green in color. The condition of the flower can be determined by its bloom. An even layer means that the iris does not get sick. The leaves retain their decorative appearance until the beginning of autumn. The flowers are large, of various colors (blue, white, blue, pink, etc.). Several shades of flowers can be on the same corolla, but a single color is not uncommon.

Bloom

The iris plant blooms (photo below) from early May to mid-summer.

The average lifespan of an inflorescence is three days. In the summer, a flower bud forms on the rhizome. The fruit of the iris consists of a box with three nests. If the summer period was not hot, then the buds do not form and the next year the iris will not bloom.

Growing

They love warm weather, so if they are bred in the northern regions, they grow well and bloom mainly indoors. Siberian varieties are resistant to frost, and bearded irises are less whimsical than the two above-mentioned species.

Cultivation of plants requires drained, fertile and moist soil. Excess moisture is removed. When planting a plant in heavy soils, it is recommended to add garden soil, sand or special fertilizers. Top dressing is applied at the rate of half a ten-liter bucket per 1 m 2. If soil neutralization is needed, bone meal is used; Siberian irises do not like lime.

Nutrient application

During growth and development, the plant requires feeding with inorganic complex fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilization is carried out for three times. The first is as soon as the plant emerges from the soil. The second time - approximately thirty days after the first application of fertilizing. And the last time was when the plant bloomed.

Another method can be used. In the first stage, only nitrogen and phosphorus substances are added. In the second, potassium is added to the previous elements, and in the third place, only potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are added. During the growing season, nine grams of the above fertilizers should be applied per square meter. Fertilizer is added exclusively in liquid form.

Reproduction

Work on dividing the roots is carried out at the end of the summer or at the beginning of autumn, after about four years of the plant growing in one place. If this operation is not carried out, the iris will not bloom, since four years after planting the flower buds stop forming. For this reason, to obtain abundant flowering, the roots should be divided or their upper part removed.

One of the simple methods of dividing rhizomes is the formation of annual links with a bunch of leaves. Each link is divided into separate pieces with buds. After cutting, they are left in a dry, warm room for 48 hours, during which time the sections form protective wound tissue. In addition, the cuts can be sprinkled with crushed coal.

The seedlings are placed in containers and stored indoors, as rooting occurs in winter. Rhizomes dug up in the fall should be stored in a cool, dry place. When planting roots in spring, they are cut to 8-10 cm in advance, and by two-thirds in autumn or summer.

A transplant after 4-5 years is a rather long period, so the plant can be propagated by seeds. Each variety has its own characteristics. Siberian and Japanese irises can be grown from seeds without any problems, but bearded ones are a little more difficult, since their seeds have a thick cover, and seedlings appear in the second or third year. Scientists believe that propagation by seeds is best used in breeding, as this method does not guarantee good plant growth.

Care

Soils that are well able to retain moisture are suitable for Siberian and Japanese varieties, and soil with a slightly acidic or neutral environment is suitable for bearded varieties. Fertilizers must be applied to non-chernozem soil.

Each type of plant needs a different amount of water. For example, Siberian iris requires constant watering during flowering, and bearded iris prefers moderate watering.

It is best to place irises in sunny or semi-shaded areas. If you plant a plant in a continuous shade, then it will stop flowering. Japanese and bearded species can tolerate heavy shade.

Useful properties of the plant

Currently, only a few varieties of the iris plant are acceptable for use in medical practice. For example, Florentine and German. The main raw material is the roots of the plant due to the content of its unique essential oil. Three years after planting the iris, they begin to harvest them. The roots are washed with water, cleared of lateral shoots, and then dried. Store in closed containers.

The roots of irises contain a huge amount of ascorbic acid, starch, sugar and many other equally useful components.

Application in medicine

When crushed into an aroma lamp, it has a calming effect.

A decoction of the roots of the iris plant is used:

as an aid to eliminate colic;
for bronchitis and tonsillitis;
as a symptomatic remedy for the treatment of headaches;
for resorption of dense tumors;
in cosmetology, helps reduce freckles and pimples, reduce the depth of wrinkles;
stimulates the growth of hair follicles and is used for hair loss, dandruff, and in addition, gives them a shiny appearance.

You can make a tincture from iris that is used for toothaches. The rhizomes are used to make breast tea. Homeopathic preparations are made from iris and are used in the treatment of pancreatic diseases.

In order to prepare an iris tincture, you need to stir 15 g of the raw material in a glass of boiling water. You can take it up to six times a day, one tablespoon. The dry roots of the plant are an excellent expectorant, blood purifier and diuretic.

Contraindications to the use of the iris plant are individual intolerance.

Mostly gardeners grow Siberian, Japanese and bearded irises. Swamp iris with yellow flowers is also common in gardens.

Iris flowers have been known to man since ancient times. On the island of Crete, among the paintings of the Knossos Palace, a fresco depicts a priest surrounded by blooming irises. This fresco is about 4000 years old. Iris flowers are imprinted in the stone of Oriental and Roman galleries and balustrades. In the Middle Ages, they grew in the gardens of castles and monasteries, from where they were transferred to the gardens of townspeople. Even in ancient times, Arabs planted wild iris with white flowers on graves. And in Ancient Egypt it was bred back in the 16th-15th centuries BC, and it was a symbol of eloquence there. In Arabia, on the contrary, they were a symbol of silence and sadness.

Iris has many names: Iris, iris, cockerel, songbird (beerweed), piskulnik, killer whale, scilla, pigtails, carp, iris, flat cake, chikan, cockerels, bells, chistyak, wolf cucumber, hare cucumbers, bear cucumbers, pikulnik, songbird , magpie flowers, chamomile. Among all the names, the most common is the gentle “kasatik”, that is, dear, beloved, desired.
In total in the genus of the family Iridaceae, or Iris ( Iridaceae) has about 800 species with a rich variety of shapes and shades.

The flower “iris” received its name from the hands of the famous healer Hippocrates, who named the plant in honor of the ancient Greek goddess Iris, who proclaimed the will of the Olympian gods to people. The goddess Iris descended along a rainbow to the earth, which is why the word “Iris” translated from Greek means rainbow. Carl Linnaeus, who proposed a unified system of scientific names for plants, retained its ancient name for the iris.
But Florence was called Florence by the Romans only because irises grew in abundance around this Etruscan settlement, and the literal translation from Latin into Russian “Florence” means “blooming”. Since then, the Florentine iris has graced the city coat of arms of Florence.
This type of iris has also become famous for the fact that for a long time they learned to extract fragrant essential oil with the aroma of violets from its rhizome. That is why the rhizome of this iris is called orris root. This natural fragrance was used in royal dressing rooms as early as the 15th century. From 1 kg of rhizomes, an average of 7 g of essential oil is obtained, which is used in perfumery. Fragrant substances are also extracted from flowers.

For Christians, the iris symbolizes purity and protection, but has also become a symbol of sorrow and pain.

In Japanese, "iris" and "warrior spirit" are represented by the same character. On May 5, Boys' Day, all the people perform hanami - ritual admiration of flowers in iris gardens, where they grow immersed in water and on this day images of irises appear on all household items. On the traditional holiday of boys, a magical talisman is prepared from iris flowers, which should instill courage in the soul of the young man. Iris leaves look like swords, and the Japanese are deeply convinced that they should awaken strength, courage and courage in a future man. Once upon a time, on Hanami Day, the Japanese prepared a drink called May pearls from iris and orange flowers. Those who used it were healed from many diseases.
As a religious symbol, the iris first appears in the paintings of the early Flemish masters, and in images of the Virgin Mary it is present both with and instead of the lily. This symbolic meaning is due to the fact that the name “iris” means “lily with a sword,” which is seen as an allusion to Mary’s grief for Christ.
For Christians, the iris symbolizes purity and protection, but it also became a symbol of sorrow and pain, the reason for which was its sharp wedge-shaped leaves, which seemed to personify the suffering and sadness of the Mother of God’s heart from the suffering of Christ. The blue iris is especially common as such a symbol in images of the Virgin. The iris can also symbolize the virgin birth.
In Russia, the word "Iris" appeared as a botanical name for plants in the second half of the 19th century, and before this period they used the popular name "Iris", the inhabitants of Ukraine called irises "Cockerel". In Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia, the iris is called Perunika - in honor of the Slavic god Perun.
The Slavic peoples widely used a rainbow range of colors and shades and bizarre forms of iris inflorescences. They could be seen in folk crafts, in the textile industry, as well as in decorating everyday life: painting homes, utensils, clothes (in the ornament of shirts, sundresses, towels, shawls and half-shawls).

Legends of the iris
A miracle flower bloomed at one edge of the forest. Forest animals and birds began to argue about who it belonged to. They argued for four days, and the dispute resolved itself. The iris seeds ripened, and the wind carried them in different directions.
According to legend, the first iris blossomed several million years ago and was so beautiful that not only animals, birds and insects came to admire it, but also water and wind, which then spread the ripened seeds throughout the earth. And when the seeds sprouted and blossomed, the iris became one of man’s favorite plants. From a distance, irises seem like small beacons showing the way to sailors.
And here is another legend about irises. One day, the rainbow fell into pieces before disappearing. Wonderful fragments of the rainbow fell to the ground and charming flowers sprouted. The rainbow crumbled into small fragments - and the irises bloomed. They sprouted, according to Pomeranian legend, from the tears of a fisherman who often mourned separation from her husband.
Another legend tells. When the titan Prometheus stole the heavenly fire on Olympus and gave it to people, a wondrous seven-colored rainbow flashed on earth - so great was the joy of all living things in the world. The sunset had already faded, and the day had faded, and the sun had gone, but the rainbow still shone over the world, giving people hope. It didn't go out until dawn. And when in the morning the sun returned to its place again, where the magical rainbow burned and shimmered with colors, irises bloomed...