The iris is a very distinctive flower with an unusual shape and is typically associated with spring. But did you know these fascinating facts about the iris?

The name iris means rainbow in Greek. It’s quite an apt name, as irises come in all sorts of colours, such as blue, purple, white, yellow, lilac and even brown.

The iris belongs to the Iridaceae family. Another member of this family of plants is the gorgeously scented freesia.

There’s a vast array of different types of irises and they thrive in different climates, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, America and North Africa.

Irises grow well in a variety of different places, including in deserts, by the banks of streams, in gardens, meadows and on grassy slopes.

The iris grows from a bulb. They’re hidden away during the colder months, then suddenly re-appear when it’s warmer.

Irises have been popular throughout history and were often used as a source of inspiration for some of the world’s great painters, like Vincent Van Gogh.

Irises are typically associated with spring, but nowadays they’re generally available all year round.

The iris flower has a very distinct shape, which makes it easy to distinguish. Three large petals fold back from the stem and form the three points of a triangle. In the centre, three smaller petals stand up. This shape is used as the fleur-de-lys symbol.

The iris is the state flower of Tennessee. It’s also the national emblem of France.

If you rub together the leaves of the Gladwyn or Stinking iris (Iris foetidissima), they emit an unpleasant smell!

Irises are relatively easy to grow, even for the most inexperienced of gardeners.

The Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) is commonly found growing wild along the coasts of California and southern Oregon.

Iris Florentina is native to the south of Europe. It is white or pale blue flowers.

Known as the Yellow Flag or Yellow Iris, Iris pseudacorus can commonly be found growing along riverbanks, in marshes or even ditches in Britain.