Iris: meaning, types and vase care

Slender leaves, ruffled petals and a colour range that runs from deep purple to butter yellow: the iris (Iris) is a flower people recognise at a glance. It takes its name from the Greek word for rainbow, and the genus really does cover nearly every shade.

Classic purple iris – elegant flower in natural light — Classic purple

Deep purple iris – close-up of decorative petals — Dark purple

Light purple iris arranged in a home setting — Light purple

Order iris and other flowers online and choose the day.

Order flowers now

Where the name comes from

In Greek myth, Iris was the messenger who travelled along the rainbow between earth and heaven, and the flower borrowed her name. Artists have kept returning to it ever since, from Japanese painted screens to Van Gogh. In the garden it is a plant with a long history of selection, and breeders have produced thousands of cultivars.

What an iris says

Overall: wisdom, admiration and faith, whatever the colour.
Purple: respect and a sense of occasion.
Blue: trust, hope and calm.
Yellow: warmth and cheerfulness.
White: purity and fresh starts.

Want to send flowers that look sophisticated without being showy? Iris is a smart pick for a thank-you or a congratulations.

Send flowers to any address in Australia.

See prices and selection

Types worth knowing

Bearded iris (I. germanica and hybrids): the classic garden iris, with a soft fuzzy beard on each lower petal. It grows from a thick rhizome and flowers in spring.
Dutch iris: grown from bulbs, with a neat, slim form and a long stem. This is what most florists sell.
Siberian iris (I. sibirica): narrow leaves and a delicate bloom; it prefers cooler climates.
Japanese iris (I. ensata): broad, flat, richly patterned flowers that like damp soil.

You may also meet the plants sometimes called native iris in the bush. Those belong to a different group of the iris family, so they are cousins rather than true irises.

Keeping cut irises looking good

Trim the stem ends on a slant with a clean, sharp knife.
Strip any leaves that would sit below the water.
Refresh the water every couple of days.
As each flower finishes, pinch it off so the next bud can open.
Choose a cool spot, out of direct sun and away from fruit bowls and heaters.

Quick facts – iris

Property	Information
Each bloom	A few days; the bud sequence extends the stem
Latin name	Iris
Bearded iris season	Spring, about September to November
Number of species	Around 300

Iris is easy to order for delivery in Australia. See the language of flowers for what other blooms mean.

Send a graceful iris bunch to someone you admire, delivered across Australia.

Choose bouquet →

Buying flowers online takes a few minutes. Our care tips help the bunch last longer once it arrives.

Iris questions

How long will cut irises last in water?

Each bloom lasts only a few days, but a stem carries several buds that open one after another. Pinch off finished flowers as you go and the next bud can take over, so a good bunch stays attractive for a week or so.

What separates a bearded iris from a Dutch iris?

Bearded irises grow from rhizomes in the garden and carry a fuzzy strip, the beard, on each lower petal. Dutch irises grow from bulbs, are slimmer and neater, and are the type most often sold as cut flowers.

When do irises come into flower in Australia?

Bearded irises bloom in spring, mostly from September to November. Japanese and Louisiana types follow in late spring and early summer. Dutch irises for cutting are usually in the shops for much of the year.