Iris is the birthplace of the plant. Irises - general information, classification

Belongs to the iris family. About 250 different varieties are known that grow in Europe and Asia, in North America, as well as in some regions of Africa. In Russia there are about 60 different types. 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

It is perennial and unique. herbaceous plant with a strong root. He distinguishes two types of shoots - vegetative and generative. Thin leaves with a wax coating are united by fan-shaped bunches at the base of the peduncles.

In some varieties, stem leaves are absent or there are very few of them. Single flowers are located in inflorescences, they differ in 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 downward.

Iris plant: characteristics and description of varieties

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

• Bearded is the most popular garden iris. On the outer petals at the base there are strips 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 nutrient reserves. On the stem are dense, narrowly grooved leaves. The peduncle grows an average of 80 cm. The flower can be monophonic 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 stubby strokes. 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.
• The xiphoid 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 description of the iris plant:

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

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

Japanese irises can only be divided after five to seven years, as they have more long time the decorative effect and productivity are preserved. In early spring or autumn, division of this species is carried out.

There are three groups of irises:

• undersized - 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 refined, fibrous, fleshy and slightly branched. The leaves are usually xiphoid, with a waxy coating, green in color. The condition of the flower can be determined by the 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.

cultivation

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, then bone meal is used, Siberian irises do not like lime.

Nutrient application

During growth and development, the plant needs top dressing with inorganic complex fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilization is carried out for three times. The first - as soon as the plant hatched from the soil. The second time - about thirty days after the first top dressing. And the last time - when the plant has faded.

You can apply another method. 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 potash and phosphorus fertilizers. During the growing season, nine grams of the above fertilizers per square meter should be applied. Top dressing is added exclusively in a liquid state.

reproduction

Work on the separation of the roots is carried out at the end of the summer period or at the beginning of autumn, approximately four years after the plant grows in one place. If this operation is not carried out, the iris will not bloom, because four years after planting, 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 the rhizome is the formation of annual links with a bunch of leaves. Each link is divided into separate pieces with kidneys. After the cut, they are left in a dry, warm room for 48 hours, during which time the cuts form a protective wound tissue. In addition, slices can be sprinkled with crushed coal.

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

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 materials are the roots of the plant due to the content of a unique essential oil. Three years after planting the iris, they begin to harvest them. The roots are washed with water, cleaned of lateral processes, 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 added crushed to an aromatic lamp, it has a calming effect.

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

• as an aid to eliminate colic;
• with bronchitis and tonsillitis;
• as a symptomatic remedy for the treatment of headaches;
• for resorption of dense tumors;
• in cosmetology, helps reduce freckles and acne, 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 look.

From iris, you can prepare a tincture, which is used for toothaches. The rhizomes are used to make breast tea. On the basis of iris, homeopathic preparations are made, which are used in the treatment of diseases of the pancreas.

In order to prepare a tincture of iris, you need to stir 15 g of raw materials 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 - individual intolerance.

Most flower growers grow Siberian, Japanese and bearded irises. In the gardens, marsh iris with yellow flowers is also common.

Iris- an ornamental plant, a representative of the Kasatikov family. Scientists consider Asia to be the birthplace of this flower. Iris is also found in Europe and North America.

Irises are considered one of the most beautiful and common flowers. They can be found in flower beds, in city parks, in summer cottages. The plant is an upright stem with green flat leaves and large flowers in different shades (see photo). Iris flowers will not only decorate any flower bed, but also help fight some diseases. Also, this plant is used in cooking to create amazingly delicious dessert dishes.

The flower got its name due to the colorful flowers, because iris is translated as "rainbow". The plant was named by Hippocrates in honor of the goddess of the rainbow, Iris. According to one of the legends, when Prometheus gave fire to people, a rainbow arose: nature was so happy about this event. The rainbow could be observed all day long, and when it disappeared in the morning, people noticed that amazing flowers bloomed all over the earth, which resembled a rainbow in their appearance. There is also an ancient belief that millions of years ago, when the iris first bloomed, the plant turned out to be so amazing that not only animals and birds, but also natural elements came to see this beauty. Having admired the flower, the wind carried its seeds all over the earth so that the iris could be admired everywhere. The Romans also named Florence after irises, because in translation its name means “blooming” (at that time a lot of irises grew in this Etruscan settlement).

Our ancestors considered iris a powerful aphrodisiac: the powder from its rhizome supposedly caused sexual desire in both men and women. The aroma of iris people found very exciting and setting up for a love pastime.

Growing irises

You can grow irises in your summer cottage. This plant does not require special care. The flower prefers a sunny area and fertile soil.

Irises have some growing characteristics. One of them is that the rhizomes of the plant grow horizontally and in the process of growth can be on the surface. Due to this it is recommended to sprinkle the roots with peat or earth for the winter so that they do not freeze out. Wherein plant should not be planted too deep. Of course, this will not kill the iris, but it will not bloom either.

Flower care consists of regular watering and fertilizer (mineral fertilizers are suitable for the latter).

Collection and storage

Collection of irises is carried out in the second year of plant life. The rhizome is dug up in August. To begin with, it is thoroughly washed and dried in the sun or in dryers. Store the collected raw materials in a cool room. The root contains 0.2-0.7% iris essential oil. To obtain the oil, the flowers of the plant are also harvested, which are then processed by extraction.

Medicinal properties

The medicinal properties of irises are due to chemical composition plants. Their rhizomes contain valuable essential oil, which is used in perfumery, cosmetology, and medicine. And in the composition were found ascorbic acid, sugar, essential oil, flavonoids, carotenoids, fatty oils, tannins and glycosides. Iris leaves contain a large dose of vitamin C, which protects cells from premature aging, acting as an antioxidant, and also improves defensive forces organism.

In cosmetology, iris extract is used to care for the skin of the face and head. The plant has powerful regenerating properties, which allows it to be used as an active ingredient in cosmetics. sensitive skin care. Iris essential oil has a delicate, slightly sweet aroma and yellowish-brown color. In aromatherapy, essential oil is used externally to relax, relieve tension, and eliminate pain. Iris oil is widely used for the production of perfumes and colognes. The crushed rhizome can be used instead of cosmetic powder. It is also added to tooth powders.

Iris is used for cooking eye drops. Drops have a pronounced bactericidal effect, kill bacteria(even Pseudomonas aeruginosa). They can be used for conjunctivitis, corneal lesions. The tool is widely used to treat keratitis, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, iridocyclitis in pets - dogs and cats.

Iris seeds have found their use in flavoring some alcoholic beverages. They are also used in place of coffee beans.

In India, this plant is known as an astringent.

Toffee can be chewed on by young children when they are teething.

Application in cooking

In cooking, iris has found application in the preparation of certain dishes. The flower is an excellent spice that can be added to the composition confectionery. The crushed root is used as a natural flavor.

In Armenia, you can often find jam from iris petals. In order to get this tasty and original dish, you need to collect a sufficient number of white iris petals. Only fresh, unprocessed irises, which are cut in the early morning, are suitable for jam. The flowers are carefully sorted and washed in cold water to wash away all the dust. Then the petals are placed in an enamel bowl and sprinkled with sugar. When they give juice, the petals are poured with water and boiled until tender. Ready jam is poured into jars. For one serving, 100 grams of flowers will be enough.

Orris root is also called orris root. It is used for baking, alcoholic beverages. He is well known for African cuisine. In Morocco, iris is combined with other popular fragrances, such as rose scent. The root has a bittersweet taste. It is often used along with other spices. In Moroccan cuisine, toffee is placed in National dish"tagine". And it is also part of the spicy mixture called ras el hanout. This seasoning is widely known in North Africa.

The benefits of iris and treatment

The benefits of the plant are known traditional medicine. For medicinal purposes, varieties such as Florentine and German iris are used. Most of the active substances are concentrated in the rhizomes of the plant, which is why they are used most often.

Iris infusions are used for toothache. Due to the high content of vitamin C, the plant is effective in scurvy.

Homeopaths prepare remedies based on iris for the treatment of the pancreas.

The rhizome of the iris has expectorant properties. In addition, its infusion perfectly cleanses the blood. Prepare it from 15 grams of crushed rhizomes and a glass of boiling water. Take the infusion inside 5-6 times a day for a tablespoon.

Iris has diuretic effect, which allows it to be used in diseases of the bladder.

For the treatment of sore throats, stomatitis, iris decoction is prepared, which is used to rinse the mouth or sore throat. A decoction is prepared from a teaspoon of rhizomes and a glass of water. Non-healing wounds and ulcers are washed with the same decoction.

With cough, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, colds prepare a decoction of iris, which is taken in 0.5 cups. This infusion is also indicated for bladder cancer.

Can be cooked at home alcohol tincture. To do this, take 1 part of the rhizome and pour 10 parts of alcohol. Tincture is taken 10-20 drops three times a day for pain and stomach cramps. Before use, the tincture is diluted in a glass of boiled water. The remedy is effective in chronic lung diseases. Iris tincture stops the growth of tubercle bacillus.

Iris harm and contraindications

The plant can cause harm to the body with individual intolerance.

Iris flowers have been known to man since ancient times. On the island of Crete, among the paintings of the Palace of Knossos, 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 the townspeople. Arabs in ancient times planted wild iris with white flowers on the 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, killer whale, cockerel, pevnik (pikulnik), piskulnik, killer whale, scilla, pigtails, carp, iris, cake, chikan, cockerels, bells, chistyak, wolf cucumber, hare cucumbers, bear cucumbers, pikulnik, pevnik , magpie flowers, chemennik. Among all the names, the most common is the gentle "kasatik", that is, dear, beloved, desired.
In total, in the genus of the Kasatikovye family, or Iris ( Iridaceae) has about 800 species with a rich variety of shapes and shades.

The flower "iris" got its name from the hands of the famous healer Hippocrates, who named the plant in honor of the ancient Greek goddess Irida, who proclaims to people the will of the Olympic gods. The goddess Iris descended on the rainbow to the ground, so the word "Iris" in Greek means rainbow. Carl Linnaeus, who proposed a unified system scientific names 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 at one time, and the literal translation from Latin into Russian “Florence” means “blooming”. Since then, the Florentine iris has adorned the city coat of arms of Florence.
This type of iris is also famous for the fact that for a long time people learned to extract fragrant essential oil with the aroma of violets from its rhizome. That is why the rhizome of this iris is called violet 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. Fragrances are also extracted from flowers.

In Japan, iris protected houses 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 pearls") is prepared from the flowers of iris and orange on this day, since in Japanese the names of iris and 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.

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

In Japanese, "iris" and "warrior spirit" are denoted by the same hieroglyph. On May 5, on the day of the boys, all the people perform hanami - a 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 a young man. Iris leaves are like swords, and the Japanese are deeply convinced that they should awaken strength, courage and courage in the future man. Once upon a time, on the day of hanami, the Japanese prepared a drink called May pearls from flowers of iris and orange. Those who used it were healed of many diseases.
How religious symbol The iris first appears in the painting of the early Flemish masters, and in the images of the Virgin Mary it is present both together with the lily and instead of it. 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 sorrow for Christ.
Among Christians, iris symbolizes purity, protection, but 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 heart of the Mother of God from the suffering of Christ. Especially often as such a symbol in the images of the Virgin there is a blue iris. 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 that period they used popular name"Kasatik", the inhabitants of Ukraine called irises "Cockerel". In Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia, the iris is called Perunika - in honor of Slavic god Perun.
The Slavic peoples widely used an iridescent range of colors and shades and bizarre forms of iris inflorescences. They could be seen in folk crafts, in textile industry, as well as in the decoration of everyday life: painting dwellings, utensils, clothes (in the ornament of shirts, sundresses, towels, shawls and half-shawls).

Iris Legends
A miracle flower bloomed on one edge. Forest animals and birds began to argue over who it belongs 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 all over 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. Once a rainbow, before disappearing, crumbled into pieces. Wonderful fragments of the rainbow fell to the ground and charming flowers sprouted. The rainbow crumbled into small fragments - that's where the irises bloomed. They sprouted, according to the Pomeranian legend, from the tears of a fisherwoman, who often mourned the separation from her husband.
Another legend tells. When the titan Prometheus stole heavenly fire on Olympus and gave it to people, a rainbow flared up on earth with a marvelous seven-color rainbow - so great was the joy of all life in the world. Already the sunset has faded, and the day has faded, and the sun has gone, and the rainbow still shone over the world, giving people hope. She did not go out until dawn. And when in the morning the sun returned to its place again, where the magic rainbow burned and shimmered with colors, irises bloomed ...

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

Iris ( Russian name flower - killer whale) - a rhizomatous perennial with xiphoid leaves with a wax coating and thin, fibrous roots.

Multi-colored iris flowers (the color of the petals is from white to dark purple), outwardly similar to orchids, have a pleasant faint aroma. Some varieties of garden irises have a "beard" on the lower petals. The flowering of irises begins in May and lasts until June: each individual flower retains its decorative effect for about a week. The seeds of the plant ripen in autumn, in trihedral boxes 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 the open field in parks and squares, and are used to arrange compositions in landscape design.

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

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

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

Russian iris(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 drying of the soil. In landscape design, it is used to decorate rocky hills and rock gardens, where rare watering is required.

Siberian iris, which is actually called iris, is a tall plant, reaches 1 m. The flowers are saturated, purple with shades of blue. Siberian iris and its hybrids bred by breeders are distinguished into a separate subspecies of irises: limniris. In plants of this subgroup, there is no “beard” on the limb of the petals.

Iris marsh, or yellow, grows in nature along the shores of lakes, rivers, along the slopes of wet ravines. It can grow and bloom well on saline soils, with high temperature outside air. These varieties of iris are successfully used in landscape design for decoration. artificial reservoirs: outdoor pools, ponds, waterfalls, iris tolerates excessive watering, looks great when planted decoratively.

Iris smooth(I. laevigata Fisch) - growing at high humidity; abundant watering is required. 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 decorating bouquets, grown for cutting.

Iris dwarf- a low plant, in total reaches a size of 10 cm. Forms dense curtains when grown in open ground. Small flowers have a variety of colors.

Iris Kaempfer(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- an extensive type 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 high decorativeness of the flowers. Japanese irises often form double flowers at different times (early, middle, late, very late). The flowers of the Japanese iris 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 the open field is approximately the same.

Foreign breeders have bred varieties of tuberous irises, the cultivation of which is not difficult. These flowers have a small height and narrow, graceful petals of bright, saturated colors. Planting material goes into sale in the fall, planting is done before winter.

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

• sand;
• double superforsate;
• 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 bulbs of irises are laid out with a sprout up.

Important! Bulbs should not be buried deep into the ground. Rule: it is customary to plant small-bulbous plants at a depth of 3 bulb heights.

Planting small-bulb irises does not require watering, the moisture that was used to irrigate the planting furrow is sufficient. The soil on top needs to be lightly tamped so that the birds cannot pull out the bulbs before they take root. Flowering of small-bulb irises will begin next spring.

Growing. bearded irises

Planting bearded irises requires compliance with certain rules:

1. It is impossible to bring fresh manure, compost or nitrogen fertilizers into the garden when planting.
2. In acidic soil, chalk or lime should be added first. The acidity of the soil should be reduced.
3. It is not allowed to plant rhizomes of irises in dense, caked soil. Preliminary digging of the soil on a spade bayonet and the introduction of sand will make the soil more acceptable for growing your irises in the open field.
4. 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, when decorating territories in landscape design. A huge variety of varieties and species, as well as the high resistance of the plant itself, allow the wider use of this crop for landscaping. Curtains of irises of different varieties look great on a lawn carpet.

Mono-plantings of iris culture decorate urban areas and do not require serious care. This culture has the advantage of perennial planting in one place and maintaining a decorative look.

Iris care: video

Varieties of irises: photo

Irises or, as they are affectionately called, cockerels or irises, have been known to mankind since ancient times and are distributed almost throughout the globe. These unpretentious flowers look like orchids and can have a variety of colors, including the entire spectrum of rainbow colors. That is why the plant was named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Flowers make magnificent bouquets (see the picture), which are not ashamed to present as a gift.

Iris is a symbol of hope and trust, friendship and cordial disposition. They are found almost everywhere However, this circumstance does not affect their attractiveness and popularity. There are legends about these flowers, they are elevated to the rank of symbols and endowed with magical powers, and rainbow cockerels modestly keep silent just giving us their beauty.

Types of irises: description and photo

The genus iris or iris includes about 800 species. The most popular in floriculture are bearded flowers, which are valued for their variety of colors and unusual shape. In bouquets, they look very beautiful. IN scientific world plants have a rather complex classification, consisting of several levels, but for the layman, the decisive argument when choosing varieties is the color scheme and shape.

Dining and miniature, non-aryl-like and aryl-like, dwarf and small-flowered, undersized and tall - it is rather difficult to understand all this variety of species. Therefore, we will focus on the bearded irises, which have gained the greatest popularity among flower growers, and which can most often be seen in bouquets.

If you want your garden plot to please with its beauty all summer, you can purchase varieties of different flowering times and heights. And then, starting from mid-May, early species will already begin to bloom, gradually passing the baton to varieties of medium-early flowering periods (late May-early June). Throughout June, your garden will be decorated with medium-sized irises. And, finally, late plants will bloom in early July. That is, you can admire these unusual flowers almost all summer.

According to the height of the iris peduncle are divided into the following groups:

• tall. Grow more than 0.7 m in height;
• medium tall (37-70 cm);
• undersized (up to 35 cm).

Whatever type of iris you focus on, flowering plants will decorate any corner of your garden and will never disappoint you.

cultivation

All irises, without exception, are photophilous, however, when choosing a variety, one should take into account their relationship to moisture. On soils with normal moisture, Siberian iris grows well, on swampy, constantly wet soil, species such as bristly, yellow and Kaempfera are grown. On well-drained soils - other varieties and types of bearded irises.

Planting irises is carried out in spring or autumn. To achieve lush flowering, they need to be repotted every 3-4 years, Siberian irises - once every 10 years.

Features of planting bearded irises

Bearded irises are notable for their extraordinary beauty, but at the same time they are more capricious and for their good growth and flowering, performance is required. several important conditions:

reproduction

Irises reproduce every 4-5 years by dividing the rhizomes at the end of the flowering period (end of July-beginning of August). A piece of one or two years of age with a renewal bud and a trimmed bunch of leaves is separated from the maternal rhizome. Maternal root pre need to warm up in the sun for 5-6 days. Dividing should be planted superficially, sprinkling a thin layer of soil on top. For the winter, young plantings are covered with spruce branches or mulched with sawdust.

Low-growing blue flowers, as well as irises of dry-loving varieties, are planted in the foreground of mixborders and rockeries. Moisture-loving varieties, of course, are best placed near water bodies. Bearded iris combined with lavender, coreopsis, undersized goldenrod, geyhera and peonies form a magnificent variety of colors for mixborders and flower beds.

Pests and diseases

It is generally accepted that these plants, although they have many enemies, but very resistant to their impact.. However, in order for flowers to please you with their beautiful view, you should still not forget about proper care after them.