Who was the goddess of the rainbow?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

September 27, 2002

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Lace Handkerchief, Variegated Japanese, Best Bet Shades of Blue—>Click here.

What Again Dwarf Reblooming Iris, Reblooming Iris Collection—>Click here.

The American Horticultural Society estimates there are three hundred species of Iris. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere and can be found from wetlands to mountains. Linnaeus made a good choice when he named the genus Iris; species come in every color of the rainbow except true red.

Rainbow Iris Collection — Did you know that there are 7 essential colours that comprise a rainbow? It's true! So it only makes sense that our Rainbow Iris Collection brings you 7 exceptionally colourful varieties.

Plant them 12-24" apart in late summer or early fall. Since they're remarkably hardy and vigorous growers, any spot in your landscape with full sun to partial shade will do fine. Then, get set to watch a kaleidoscope of hues burst forth in late spring and early summer. Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs [More Bulbs...] [Perennials...] [More Rainbows...]

Iris was a goddess, daughter of the Titan, Thaumas, and Ocean nymph, Electra. She served as a messenger between the gods and men during the Trojan War. In later years, Iris was the attendant and messenger of Hera, queen of Mount Olympus.

No statues of Iris survive, but she is represented on vases and bas-reliefs with golden wings on her shoulders, wearing a white tunic, and carrying a herald's staff and a ewer. The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1902) states, "When one of the gods was to take an oath by Styx, Iris fetched a cup full of water from the [River] Styx, and the god, while taking the oath, poured out the water."

Iris was the personification of the rainbow and wife of Zephyrus, the west wind. Both rainbow and goddess were called Iris. The rainbow was the only road she traveled. It appeared when Iris was carrying a message and vanished when she did not need it. As speaker for the gods, Iris was considered a conciliator who restored peace in nature as the rainbow linked heaven with the earth.

The Theoi Project has more of the ancient Greek lore of Iris, the goddess of the rainbow. To view a photograph of a painting of the goddess and read more of the legends, click on the link:

http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Iris.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
[More Irises...] [More Collections...] [On Sale...]

Lace Handkerchief Iris

Springhill Nursery®

Orchid-shaped blooms of white to lilac are delicately frilled with blue violet and gold. Lace-patterned blossoms appear in mid to late spring. Variegated, sword-shaped foliage 12-18" high, with a similar spread, is attractive all season.

Plant in full sun to partial shade.

Shipped in 3" pots. Deer tend to avoid.

Zones 4-8. Iris tectorum variegata

This Item Ships In The Fall

Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
[More Irises...] [More Collections...] [On Sale...]

Variegated Japanese Iris

Springhill Nursery®

This Variegated Japanese Iris cultivar boasts distinctive green foliage with cream-colored borders. Showy purple blooms rise above the slender, 24-30" tall foliage on 36" stems. The flowers appear in midsummer, but both before and after they bloom, the variegated foliage adds interest to your garden.

Ideal with other perennials. Space 12-18" apart.

#1 field-grown rhizomes. Deer tend to avoid.

Iris ensata Zone 4 to 9

This Item Ships In The Spring

Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
[More Irises...] [More Collections...] [On Sale...]

Best Bet Shades of Blue Reblooming Iris

Springhill Nursery®

With its pale blue standards, deeper blue petals and golden beard, this award-winning eager bloomer is a sure bet to please anyone. 34-36" tall.

Roses are red, violets are blue, but they don't rebloom like these irises do! We've chosen five varieties that bloom in shades of that hard-to-find color, blue.

Deer tend to avoid.

Iris germanica Zone 4 to 9

Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
[More Irises...] [More Collections...] [On Sale...]

What Again Dwarf Reblooming Iris

Springhill Nursery®

Award-winning variety boasts captivating, two-toned flowers. Wisteria blue standards sparkle atop straw yellow falls with wisteria blue beards. 8-10" tall.

The Dwarf Reblooming What Again Iris adds a dainty, diminutive touch to any garden! Plants grow just 8-16" tall and bear perfectly formed, miniature iris flowers--about half the size of tall bearded irises. Blooms appear in early spring, then again in fall. Wonderful for rock gardens, edging, entryways or the front of borders.

#1 field-grown rhizomes. Deer tend to avoid.

Plant 6-12" apart. Iris pumila Zone 4 to 9

Reblooming Iris Collection

Springhill Nursery®

Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
[More Irises...] [More Collections...] [On Sale...]

Create an impressive and long-lasting display with one each of the following Reblooming Japanese Iris varieties:

Gypsy Caravan - Flamboyant bicolor boasts blooms with brilliant gold standards and flaring red falls. Award-winning variety grows 36" high.
Mother Earth - Captivating mixture of pastels and stronger tones. Pale buff stnadards tinted with lavender edges, lilac-lavender falls. 36-38" tall.
Painted Cloud - As rain ends and clouds begin to break, the sky displays an awesome color show, just like this iris. A mix of lavender and pink with a velvety tangerine beard. 30-34" tall.
Harvest of Memories - You'll never forget these glorious, all yellow blooms. Striking flowers appear in late spring, reblooming reliably in late summer and early fall. 38" tall.
Breakers - Award-winning iris with heavily ruffled and fluted petals all in clean, clear blue. Breathtaking blooms on stately 37" stems.
Immortality - Popular iris has beautifully ruffled flowers that are glistening white through and through. A heavy repeat bloomer. Sturdy stems reach a height of 29".

Zones 4-9. Iris germanica