Iris or kasatik is a romantic flower with a mystical beauty that is fanned by many legends. According to legend, he received his name in honor of the rainbow goddess Iris from Hippocrates for the petals, impressive with a wide range of incredible shades. Nature did not spare the juicy palette - varieties of irises are truly amazing in fabulous colors, in which all the rainbow colors are present.
Species diversity
In total, there are almost 800 species of these representatives of plants of the family of the iris, growing in various parts of the planet.
Since their color gamut is incredibly wide, the following categories are distinguished by the color of the petals:
- one-color (snow-white and dark violet, almost black flowers);
- with standard (white with blue or yellow with terracotta) or contrasting (pale pink with bright lilac) color combinations;
- variegated (with multi-colored blotches and edging)
According to a different classification, bearded (more than 500 varieties and hybrids), Japanese and Siberian irises are considered the most common in garden design. Before you buy a particular variety, it is worthwhile to find out in which climatic conditions cultivation is possible. Japanese varieties are thermophilic, and Siberian ones are the most frost-resistant.
Beautiful bearded irises
Representatives of this category are among the most popular, as they differ in a wide color range, long flowering and many frost-resistant varieties.
Sunset in Avalon
Looking at the corrugated sun-orange petals of this variety of irises, which shimmer in the sun with apricot and coral shades, you involuntarily believe that these flowers really once adorned the fabulous garden of the mythical fairy Morgana and absorbed the most wonderful colors of the sunset on the legendary island of Avalon.
Bird of paradise
The poetic name of these irises eloquently testifies to their similarity in the diversity of color of silky petals with the plumage of exotic birds of the tropical jungle.
Victoria Falls
In this name of the variety, the similarity of the color of the flowers with the sky blue is noted, which is reflected in the noisy waters of the African waterfall - one of the most picturesque in the world. The wavy border of blue flowers even more reminds of its majestic water cascades.
Amsterdam
This colorful variety is one of the dwarf bearded irises and just looks amazing when decorating borders. It captivates with incredible colors. The lower petals of almost ink coloring against the background of the purple tops give the flower a particularly luxurious aristocratic appearance. The presence of shaggy hairs on the flowers, which gave the species name “bearded irises”, also adds exoticness to them.
Lace and ruffles
Flowers of this variety have delicate light pink petals with wavy edges. Their touching beauty reminds of the lovely young ladies of past centuries in lush dresses decorated with lace, which gave these irises such an interesting name.
Wine and Roses
Looking at a harmonious combination of beauty and grace of these plants, it is difficult to disagree with the statement that these are the most beautiful irises. The lower wavy petals, bordered by a lilac frill, are similar in color to the overflow of ruby shade of wine in the glass, and the upper ones are pale pink with refined veins of cherry color and a beard of radiant golden coral color.
The Cherry Orchard
This variety is among the dwarf irises. The flowers have expressive cherry-colored petals with a purple hue and a beard in the color of precious sapphire.
Autumn Fiesta
Wavy snow-white upper petals are surprisingly combined with honey tones of autumn colors of the main part of the flower, which has a light aroma of spring lily of the valley.
Attention!
You certainly can’t get past these irises without admiring their variegated colors, which the name of the variety eloquently speaks of. A flower of saturated cherry shades has golden lower petals and a beard of orange-yellow color.
Flamenco
The incredible contrast of the variegated color of the flower against the background of golden lower petals with an extensive terracotta-red border really reminds that storm of emotions embodied by the movements of the passionate dance (this beautiful iris was named after him).
Sapphire dawn
The iris flower with such a romantic name has incorporated all the colors of an exquisite gemstone and resembles the overflow of sea surface in the rays of red dawn. Its lower petals are like a lunar path on the surface of the sea, and a beard shimmers with a pale blue tint.
Pink ice
No less than his other brethren, this iris is also impressive, in the color of its petals the delicate shades of the plumage of pink flamingos and the playful blotches of sun bunnies mixed in foreshadowing the riot of spring colors after a winter sleep. It belongs to the subspecies of the xiphoid, which delight with its unusual flowering much later than the standard bearded varieties.
Black dragon
This is a rare exclusive in the family of irises, because against the background of motley counterparts, it is distinguished by elegant monochrome. In its coloring, the ink-violet tones rule the ball, due to which the flower seems almost black.
Popular types of Siberian irises
Varieties of this group have no aroma, slightly smaller than bearded ones, without a beard and with longer narrow petals. They grow in large bushes and are the most resistant to cold unpretentious centenarians. These flowers look beautiful as a floral decoration of a garden pond and grow better in wet conditions.
The Snow Queen
This is the most effective variety by the minimalism of its color gamut. Incredibly snow-white flower with golden blots really seems the queen of the winter kingdom, whose head is crowned with a gilded crown.
Dance, ballerina, dance
This is another popular variety of Siberian irises. An elegant flower of airy pink color resembles a gracefully dancing ballerina. Among the beautiful irises, he is considered one of the most popular, which is not surprising with such beauty.
Lady Vanessa
These flowers fascinate with an amazing gamut of purple shades, close to the color of lavender inflorescences, slightly corrugated edges of the lower petals and a white patterned speck, which stands out contrastingly at the base.
Japanese irises
These varieties are especially distinguished by long leaves and large lush flowers, which can reach 25 cm in diameter. In the wild, they grow in the swampy meadows of Japan, Myanmar and China. Thanks to breeders, many varieties were born that received a common species name in honor of the country of the rising sun. They look most harmoniously in group planting near ponds.
Among the Japanese irises there are a lot of incredibly colorful species that are especially loved by gardeners and often decorate summer flower beds with their bright colors. The Smile variety has an interesting color: lemon-yellow blotches on the edges of the petals make it the most positive iris, which literally shines with optimism.
In the photo: Frekld Geisha
No less original look and flowers "Frekld Geisha" with a lilac border and the same color interspersed on the snow-white silver surface of the petals and small yellow stripes in the center. They can become a true decoration of the garden. But, deciding to plant irises of these varieties on the site at the house or cottage, do not forget that they are among the heat-loving, therefore it is recommended to use portable containers for them.
Bouquets of irises
Kasatiki are considered a symbol of friendship, so a bouquet of them is a great opportunity to express your appreciation to a close friend. Floral arrangements of these flowers will be appropriate only as a gift for romantic girls. Also, as a symbol of good news, it is appropriate to give a bouquet of irises at discharge from the hospital. But do not hand these flowers to business partners.
Beautiful bouquets of irises are obtained in combination with tea and any yellow roses, pink and snow-white carnations, lilies and daisies. Colorful spring compositions are obtained with yellow tulips and crocuses, and autumn ones with sprigs of white chrysanthemums. It is not customary to combine them with gladioli.
The irises in the wedding bouquet are vivid evidence that the bride is ready to challenge all the established stereotypes. Flowers of the traditional violet-lilac range will most advantageously look against the background of a white dress. For such a solemn occasion, compositions from irises with tulips, white roses and bells, which emphasize the gentle image of the bride, are also perfect. Bouquets of lilac and yellow flowers will be appropriate at a wedding where the boho style reigns.
And you can read about other equally beautiful bouquets in an interesting article on our site most-beauty.ru.
Irises in art
In the photo: Mikhail Prishvin
The writer Mikhail Prishvin claimed that these flowers excel even roses in grace. Since ancient times, they inspired creators to create vibrant floral masterpieces. The oldest image is found at the temple of Knossos Palace. Pictures of irises can also be seen on old Japanese engravings.
The variegation of the colorful petals inspired many Renaissance painters. Daniel Wolf devoted a romance to these flowers, and Bella Akhmadulina wrote in one of the poems that they are more beloved than others, and they have no equal.
In the photo: “Irises in the Monet Garden”, Claude Monet, 1900
Rainbow irises have repeatedly served as a source of inspiration for the main flower painter, Claude Monet. Admiring their variegated colors in his garden, he wrote several works on this subject.
In the photo: “White Iris”, M.A. Vrubel, 1887
White iris can be seen in the picture of Vrubel, and the most naturalistic depiction of this flower is reflected in the work of Dürer.
In the photo: Iris, Albrecht Durer
Irises played a special role in the work of Van Gogh. It was them who he depicted in the first picture, written in a house for the mentally ill, where he ended up after a case with a cut off ear. Creating his “Irises”, the artist hoped to overcome spiritual suffering and find the strength to create further. The picture attracts with the most realistic beauty of flowers in comparison with Monet's impressionist works.
The Irises, Van Gogh, 1889
Among the eastern creators of particular interest are the works of Utagawa Hiroshige - a Japanese artist of the 19th century, the author of more than 5000 prints, among which there is a whole series devoted to irises.
"Irises in Horikiri," Utagawa Hiroshige
Wagtail and Irises Utagawa Hiroshige
Legends and Symbols
According to one legend, a rainbow was formed from the drops of fire stolen by Prometheus, in the place of which these colorful flowers grew after the disappearance. According to another legend, they came from the tears of the seafarer's wife, who was expecting her husband to return on the coast. That is why they are also called lighthouse flowers. Their bright colors from afar pointed to the sailors on the approaching shore.
Beauty with Iris, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
The Japanese see in iris the personification of strength and courage and consider it a flower of warriors. The military spirit and the name of the plant are indicated by one hieroglyph.
In Europe, these flowers have long been considered exclusively royal decoration. Blue irises are associated with the sky and are a symbol of serenity, and white ones symbolize the perfection and purity of thoughts and are considered the best choice for special occasions. On the whole, killer whales are a symbol of hope.
The colorful colors and the bizarre shapes of the petals and buds make the irises look like wondrous butterflies fluttering in the gardens, especially when the flowers sway in the wind. They always remain at the top of the flower Olympus, like the ancient Greek goddess, in whose honor they are named, serving as messengers of joy, creating a positive mood. Even looking at photos of irises, it is impossible not to fall in love with their bewitching beauty.
Posted by skywriter13