01.06.2026 - 14.06.2026 The iris grows on all continents and is represented by about 800 species. About 200 species of irises are known in the wild. The species of the genus have an extensive range covering most of the Northern Hemisphere: Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa. As a result of breeding activities, tens of thousands of varieties of hybrid iris (I. hybrida), Siberian (I. sibirica L.), xiphoid (I. ensata Thunb.), spuria (I. spuria L.), etc. have been obtained. Interspecific hybrids (sibkals, siboses, kalsibs, chrysoses, etc.) have been created. The purposeful formation of the iris collection at the CBS began in 1955-1956 on the initiative of Academician N. V. Smolsky. To date, the gene pool of irises in the CBS is represented by 359 samples, including 20 species and varieties, 24 varieties of Siberian iris, 5 varieties of xiphoid iris, 5 varieties of iris spuria, 1 variety of iris multicolored, 1 variety of iris marsh and 303 varieties of iris hybrid. The collection retains a number of retro varieties: 'Madame Chereau' (1844), 'Loreley' (1909), 'Marinella' (1937), etc. Interesting facts about irises: Iris has been known to mankind since ancient times. The first of the found images of this flower is on a fresco, which is more than 4,000 years old. Iris got its name in honor of the goddess of the rainbow, famous in Greek mythology. This is also due to the variety of plant tones that make it possible to decorate the garden with any combination of them. The Western Slavs called the iris "perunika". They believed that purple petals appeared where lightning struck, sent by the thunder god Perun. In Christianity, flowers symbolize the purity and sadness of the Virgin Mary. Tourists in India can admire the images of the iris flower in the form of a pattern on the famous Taj Mahal Cathedral. In Europe, irises were used to denote royalty. In many countries, the purple hue was a symbol of the highest ranks of the state. There are a variety of petals in beauty and shade, but there are no pure scarlet ones, since the plant lacks the gene responsible for this tone. But such a flower is depicted on the white background of the flag of Florence and has been a symbol for more than 750 years. The roots of the iris used to be used to treat dropsy and skin infections, as an antiemetic and expectorant. The aroma of iris helps relieve fatigue, is useful for stress and has a beneficial effect on the body. Therefore, iris is in demand in perfumery, oil is made from it.
