The Iris Garden: A Must-See Spot While On Holiday In Florence In May

Florence is a city of remarkable art and galleries, with wondrous examples to be found at every turn, but those who find a luxury villa in Florence will quickly discover that it is also a city of rather spectacular gardens. We have mentioned many of them previously – from the breathtaking sculptural marvels of the Boboli Gardens to the heavenly aromas and wide spectrum of shades of the Rose Garden – but if you are planning to find a Tuscany villa or a villa in Florence itself in May and you have an interest in gardens and blooms then one of the gardens that should top your list of things to see and do in the region has to be the Giardino Dell’Iris, or Iris Garden.

Poised in a panoramic position, east of the Piazzale Michelangelo, boasting truly incredible views over the lovely and iconic skyline of Florence, this unique gem of a garden is only actually open to the general public during the month of May (though visits can be arranged outside this month by appointment or on a guided tour), during the international iris show and competition organized by the Società italiana dell'iris, or Iris Society of Italy. 

The historic emblem of the city, as depicted emblazoned in white on a red backdrop, it was chosen by the Ghibellines faction who ruled the city until 1266. The iris (referred to as a lily in Florence) is a very important flower to the city and it makes sense, therefore, that there is a whole, beautiful garden entirely devoted to it. Today, the iris remains a symbol of Florence but the colours have since been inverted. This was done by the Guelphs, the leaders who followed in the Middle Ages after the Ghibellines were expelled from Florence, so that now it is depicted as a red bloom on white background.

The Iris Society of Italy is dedicated to the promotion of this beloved bloom and Florence is, understandably, the place in which they do this by holding an annual international competition for the cultivation of different varieties of the iris. While the natural shades of the flower come in purples and whites, and more rarely pink and yellow, the society and this competition work toward creating a scarlet iris like the one that now adorns the coat of arms of the city by crossings and combinations of floriculture. In fact, the very reality that a red iris did not exist in nature was one of the reasons the Guelphs adopted it instead of the far more common white iris upon taking over from the Ghibellines and beginning their new era of rule in the city.

Despite years of people’s best efforts, this legendary red shade has yet to be quite achieved. However, flower enthusiasts and professionals of the industry continue to try and each year, new attempts, examples, and varieties are displayed. Various prizes are then awarded during the showcase for strength, beauty, and that all-important colour. In addition to these competing blooms each year, there is also the permanent garden of specimens that won in previous years and have been kept in the garden. As the first competition took place back in 1957, one can only imagine how many different varieties there are in the garden today. There are, in fact, even more than you might think: over 10 thousand hybrid varieties are spread out over the two and a half hectares of the park. Coming from all around the globe - from Japan to America and beyond - and in a wide variety of shades and shapes, the sight of them all together is a truly remarkable thing to behold.

So, if you are planning on finding a villa with pool in Florence for the month of May, be sure to explore this rather magical gem in Tuscany.

Giardino dell’Iris

Viale Michelangelo, 82 – 50125 Firenze

+39 055 483112

segreteria@irisfirenze.it