Iris
The iris is one of the most sculptural spring flowers — three upright petals (standards) and three drooping (falls), often in a bicolour arrangement. Dutch iris (from bulbs) dominates the cut trade; bearded iris (from rhizomes) is a garden and specialty flower. Blue iris is the go-to when you need a true, saturated blue without dyeing.
| Family | Iridaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Northern hemisphere; commercially grown Netherlands, Japan, Israel |
| Peak season | April, May, June |
| Availability | all year (imported) |
| Stem length | 50–90 cm |
| Vase life | 4–7 days |
| Colors | white, yellow, blue, purple, burgundy, bicolor |
| Price tier | mid |
Cut on a diagonal. Buds unfurl fast — buy when the colour is just showing above the sheath. Fresh cool water.
- •Buy tight — buds open within 24 hours
- •Each stem carries 1–3 flowers in sequence
- •One of the few true blue flowers in floristry
- •Toxic if ingested — keep away from pets
4 named iris cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Frequently asked questions
When is Iris in season?
Iris peaks in April, May, June, and florists can usually source it all year (imported). Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Iris last in a vase?
Expect 4–7 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Iris?
Good substitutes for Iris include Delphinium. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Iris symbolise?
Iris is associated with wisdom, hope, faith, valor.
How do you care for cut Iris?
Buy tight — buds open within 24 hours
