The Iris Garden in Florence

We are enjoying the 10 Year Plan.

One benefit of living in a city for an entire year is seeing all the city has to offer during every month of the year. 

We were reminded of this benefit with the annual opening of Florence's Iris Garden, a 5-acre paradise of irises, roses and olive trees on a hillside overlooking Florence.  The viewing of the blooms only occurs during a limited time during late April and May.  Luckily, we were there!

The garden was established in 1954 and has been annually awarding prizes to expert iris growers ever since.  We recently visited the iris garden while the irises were blooming.

The pictures below do not do the garden justice.  The garden in person is amazingly lovely. 

Florentines are proud.  One of the many things of which they are proud is their longstanding symbol, the giglio.  Many Florentines believe the iris, not the lily, is the origin of the giglio and therefore are especially proud of their Iris Garden.  That pride is evident in the flags flown at Iris Garden--the EU flag, the giglio and the tricolore italiano.  (Apparently, civic pride tops national pride.)

Thanks for visiting the Iris Garden with us. 

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