The iris has been blooming in the city of Florence as far back as memory goes. The Florentines identified this beautiful flower with their native city to such an extent that they adopted it for its symbol.

The Giglio, as the iris is called in Florence, was the sign of the Ghibellini in the Middle Ages. Their ensign depicted a white giglio (pronounced geel-yo) against a crimson background. But the Ghibellini were defeated by the Guelfs who came up with the idea that a reversal of the colours would fittingly symbolize the overthrow of their rivals. So they adopted the symbol of a crimson iris against a white background. And so it remains to this day.

The stylized Florentine iris has two stamen positioned between the petals, and roots growing downward, symbolizing heaven and earth, growth and stability. The flower itself stands for purity

The symbol was emblazoned on banners and etched on the first silver coins of the Republic and then on gold Florin. Today, it adorns jewellery knick-knacks, even pastries and confectionery.

Catherine de Medici took the flower with her when she went to France, and it was adopted by that country, where it is more commonly referred to as the fleur-de-lis.

The Iris once bloomed everywhere in Florence, on rooftops and terraces. The banks of the river Arno were home to long stretches of the wild white Iris. Today, the flower is not so common in the city of Florence, but you can feast your eyes on beauty if you visit the Podere dei Bastioni, a garden devoted to the Iris. It has a whopping 2500 varieties of this flower, in myriad colours and unique shapes. The entrance is from the Piazzale Michelangelo, and there is no charge, so come along and wander along the slopes of the hill east of the Piazzale Michelangelo, between 10 am and 12 noon, and again from 3 pm to 7 pm.

The garden is open from the for the first three weeks in May, and each year, there’s an international competition for Iris breeders, which draws enthusiastic participation. Ever since the crimson Iris became the emblem of Florence, breeders have been trying to develop a flower of that shade, and each year, the Gold Florin Prize is awarded to the bloom that comes closest to that particular shade of red.

Do look out for the iris when you’re in Florence, you won’t find it hard, since it’s the leit motif of the city. If you want to carry away something really special to remind you of your visit, choose from one of several brands of exquisite perfume distilled from the flower, and the fragrance of Florence will linger in your life.