An Annual Treat of Beauty

• October 8, 2009
• Rated 4 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida

Offering more than 2,500 varieties of irises, the Iris Garden of Florence is a seasonal treat only open in the month of May. Seen around the city as an engraved coat of arms since 1251, the iris holds a special place in the hearts of Florentines. Not only a beautiful symbol of this strong city, it's also appreciated for its actual life of flora.

Displayed in a beautiful sloping hillside garden overlooking the river and hillside, one can spend a lovely afternoon milling about the peaceful space. Regularly artists can be seen painting on easels during the iris' short seasonal life span, and the crowds never seem overwhelming to a visitor here. Take your time visiting each row of the numerous varieties, reading the small informational signs along the way.

This colorful display of delicate flowers can make visitors of all ages smile with delight. Luminous colors from reds, oranges and yellows, to pinks, purples, and creams. Each variety boasts unqiue names and descriptions that are fun to learn about, and horticulturalists come from all over the world to experience this once-a-year event.

The entrance is free, although visitors can donate to the Italian Iris Society which hosts this annual garden and iris competition. At the closing of the garden, there is an awards ceremony which gives prizes to blooms based on color, shape, aroma, and health. For a visitor interested in botany or just plain beauty, the iris garden is a special treat.

Enter from southern end of Piazzale Michelangelo off Viale dei Colli

Open May 2-20, Mon-Fri: 10-12:30; 3-7, Sat-Sun 10-7


From journal A Closer Look at the Gardens of Florence

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How Beautiful!

• May 7, 2008
• Rated 5 of 5 by jan eggen from amsterdam, Netherlands

Two years ago we visited Florence and also the Iris Garden.
It was wonderful, we got excited.
A huge garden/park "build" on terraces, really FULL
with the most beautiful irises I've ever seen: white, red, brown, pink, purple, almost black...multicolored. It was spectacular!.
There even was a yellow-colour iris with the fragrance of a lemon.
If you visit Florence, in the first 2/3 weeks of may, you have to go to this beautiful, beautiful garden, with all the different colours.
Enjoy!

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Il Giardino dell’ Iris

• August 8, 2004
• Rated 5 of 5 by Tolik from Tampa, Florida

Il Giardino dell’Iris (the Iris Garden ) is located on the slopes of the hill east of the Piazzale Michelangelo. The garden hosts the International Iris Competition three weeks in May (this year it was May 2 – 20). Since 1954, varieties of irises from around the world have been sent to be judged in this amazing flower show. When you are tired of churches and museums, come here to escape the rigors of sightseeing. Can you imagine - more than 2,500 types of this flower that has symbolized Florence since 1251 are in bloom at the Iris Garden. We stayed in Florence for a week only but visited Giardino dell Iris twice because the tranquility of the place and the beauty of the flowers bewitched our family. From the gardens terraces you will enjoy also the view of the olive groves, villas and the Arno River valley. The garden offers free admission from 10AM – 12:30, 3 - 7PM but open only 3 weeks a year - in May. Entrance to the garden is on the eastern side of the Piazzale Michelangelo.

From journal The Treasures of Florence

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