myFave Five of the Day ~ Irises

myFave Five of the Day ~ Irises

Welcome members of myFaves Group and anyone who happens upon my random list! Today is National Iris Day so I'll tell you about myFave Five Iris fact finds.

1. According to the American Iris Society, Irises are among the easiest of perennials to grow, and they give an abundance of beauty with minimum care.
2. Irises get their name from a messenger god in Greek mythology who was the personification of rainbows.
3. The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in New Jersey, is a living iris museum with over 10,000 plants
4. In water purification, Yellow Iris (I. pseudacorus) is used. The roots are usually planted in a substrate (e.g. lava-stone) in a reedbed-setup. The roots then improve water quality by consuming nutrient pollutants, such as from agricultural runoff..
5. The Plein Air Festival of the Arts (June 19-21, 2009) at the Newport Naturals Iris and Alpaca Farm in Newport, Washington (Spokane County) is a free event where you can release your inner Van Gogh and paint among the over 2500 Iris varieties, sheep, alpacas and chickens. Classes are held, and art supplies, as well as irises are offered for sale.

Do you have an iris garden in your area? Do you plant irises in your garden?

Sue Barton © 2009