Creating a Greek rainbow
By H. JEAN SHIELDS
Special to The Breeze
The stately and beautiful Louisiana iris is such a pleasure to have in Florida gardens.
A Florida native plant, it is right at home in our damp hot climate. All it really needs is sun and some damp soil to rest its little rhizomes in.
This iris is not as tall, and does not have the large bearded iris bloom as the beloved northern variety. These flowers are small and delicate, more like an orchid bloom.
Iris the Goddess was the messenger of the ancient Greek gods, Zeus and Hera. She traveled between heaven and earth on the rainbow. The Greeks planted the iris on the graves of their women, in hopes that the Goddess Iris would lead their souls to the Elysian Fields.
Ancient Egyptians believed the iris was a sacred symbol of life and resurrection.
In the Middle Ages, the sweet-smelling root of the iris, called orris root, was used to make cosmetics and perfumes.
The early iris were found in the watery bayous of Louisiana before they were discovered by collectors during the early 20th century.
A perfectionist will grow this flower in rich organic soil, which is slightly damp, or a spot that receives regular watering. Acidic soil is good. I have not done any amending to soil and they do fine, as long as they are damp. When I forget to add a little leftover water from somewhere else, I will get more brown foliage than usual.
The iris will spread over the years and does not need much care except for a trimming of older leaves. The bright green strap-like foliage is pleasing even without the delicate flowers.
I have just transplanted several that have been growing in a pot for several months. They were a gift from a gardening friend, as she thinned her bed of iris.
I have the colors of purple and a yellow. There are several other colors that are available. I would like to come across a red color but have not seen one was yet. They are sometimes hard to find on the market. Plant sales and other gardeners are the best bet locally.
The bloom period is usually a 4 to 6-week period and will start around the first of March. Sometimes they unexpectedly re bloom.
These delicate flowers are becoming popular and with several thousand varieties registered, the full color range will soon be more widely available.
I would like to mention the recent Strolling Flower Show, held in Fort Myers.
This show is a part of the Edison Festival of Lights. The Garden club of Cape Coral had seven designing ladies enter the show this year. Congratulations to Kathy Woodlock for her blue ribbon/rosette design of roses; Pat Molin and Paula Novander for their blue ribbon/rosette design of greenery; Cecilia Schwartz and Vickie Taylor for winning blue; Joyce Comingore and Jean Shields for red.
The Garden Club is open to men and women, and welcomes guests. Call Linda at 549-3440 for information.
Happy gardening.
H. Jean Shields is past president of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.