The iris comes with a lot of history. The flower dates all the way back to Greek mythology. It was believed that the Greek goddess Iris was the messenger of the gods and the link between heaven and earth. The word iris itself is the Greek word for a rainbow.
And, irises really do come in almost every color possible. There are different shapes and types, as well. You’ll find bearded iris, Siberian iris and my new favorite the Japanese iris. They are very easy to grow and typically bloom in the spring. Take a drive around town or out into the country and you’ll see them growing. Blue irises are the most common, but they also come in white, yellow, maroon, orange and black. Look for plants to add to your garden at your local nursery or farmers’ market.
Near Sumter, SC is the beautiful Swan Lake Iris Garden. The lake is home to all eight types of the world’s swans including swans from Asia, Australia, England and South America. Every Memorial Day Weekend they celebrate the Sumter Iris Festival. The 3-day festival includes concerts, an art and craft show, a golf tournament, a flower show, a food tasting, the crowning of the Iris Festival king and queen, and a number of contests and kids activities.
