A large genus, Iris occurs in a wide variety of habitats in most of the Northern Hemisphere. Almost all have showy and characteristic flowers, and many have become established garden favourites. Botanists have subdivided the genus into several subgenera and sections, each with common characteristics. Gardeners tend to use a simplified horticultural classification with two main groups:
Bulbous irises: the botanical groups, Reticulata, Juno and Xiphium.
Rhizomatous irises: subdivided into the Bearded or Pogon irises, and the Beardless irises. Bearded irises include the botanical groups of Oncocyclus, Regelia, Regeliocyclus and Arilbred irises, as well as the familiar bearded irises.Beardless irises comprise the Pacific Coast irises, Siberian, Spuria, Laevigatae the water or Japanese irises, Louisiana, Unguiculares and Crested irises.
Committees
The Joint Iris Committee is a source of expertise for the RHS, for advice on all matters regarding irises. The committee is responsible for judging all individual exhibits of irises shown at the London Flower Shows and Chelsea Show, the group exhibits being judged by a Council-appointed Panel. It is also responsible for selecting iris cultivars for Award of Garden Merit assessment and for judging the relevant trials at Wisley.
RHS Trials and Awards
The RHS carries out log-term trials on several different kinds of iris.
2009 plant trials
Bearded iris bulletin
Iris with the AGM
Links
The American Iris Society
The British Iris Society