In Greek mythology Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, a living link between heaven and earth. What better name, then, for a family of out-of-this-world flowers known for the rainbow-like spectrum of colors their petals produce? Iris fulva is a species of wild iris native to Louisiana. Copper iris, as it’s commonly called, needs “wet feet” to thrive and blooms brightest when temperatures are hot throughout its growing season. Which is to say, it’s right at home in St. Martin Parish. Its characteristically droopy petals skew toward the red end of the spectrum—orange, rust-colored, copper-red, reddish-brown, and rarely even gold or lemon yellow—standing in colorful contrast to other Louisiana irises that skew toward deep blues and purples.
