Attenzione! 
2017---The 59th International Iris Show
59° CONCORSO INTERNAZIONALE DELL'IRIS
8 - 13 Maggio 2017

The Iris Garden at Piazzale Michelangelo was begun in
1954. Florence has always had an association with 
the iris; the city's banner has a red iris on a white 
field (and not a lily, as is erroneously believed).

The City of Florence, in collaboration with the Italian 
Iris Society,holds an annual International Iris
Competition, since 1954 (high bearded and border). 
To date, 150 new varieties of iris have
been introduced.

The rhizomes of each iii variety are sent to Florence 
from breeders around the world in the June-September
period and are grown at the Iris Garden of
Piazzale Michelangelo for three years before being
judged by an International Jury.
It is a 'anonymous contest,' with each registered
plant marked by a code so that the jury learns
the name of the variety and the breeder only after
the judging.

A special prize is offered each year by the city to
the red variety that is closest to that of the Iris 
represented on the City's banner.

 Don't miss it!  I'll see you there!