Iris Garden – International Iris Competition

A garden that blooms once a year

The Iris Garden is one of Florence's most beloved yet hidden gems: it remains closed for most of the year and opens to the public only for a few weeks, coinciding with the spring iris bloom. It is located on the slopes of Piazzale Michelangelo, along the ramp descending toward Piazza Ferrucci, with the entrance at Viale Michelangelo 82. From here, the view sweeps over the rooftops of the historic center, the Arno River, and Brunelleschi's dome: the setting is simply unique.

The iconic flower of Florence

Few people know that the coat of arms of the City of Florence actually depicts a red iris on a white field, not a lily as is commonly believed. The bond between the city and this flower is ancient, and the garden was created specifically to celebrate it. Founded in 1954 on the initiative of Flaminia Specht and Nita Stross Radicati, with the support of councilor Piero Bargellini, it is managed by the Italian Iris Society in collaboration with the City of Florence.

Thousands of varieties from around the world

Spanning approximately two and a half hectares, the garden hosts an extraordinary collection: tall bearded and border irises, dwarf, Japanese, Siberian, and Louisiana irises, as well as numerous wild species and ornamental plants. During the peak blooming period, visitors can admire thousands of specimens in a palette of colors ranging from white to deep purple, and from yellow to sky blue.

The International Iris Competition

The heart of the event is the International Iris Competition, established in 1954 and now one of the most important sector competitions in the world. Growers from across the globe send their rhizomes, which are planted in the garden and observed for three years before evaluation. It is an anonymous competition: each specimen receives a code, so the international jury judges without knowing the name or the creator of the variety. Notable awards include the Fiorino d'Oro, given to the first-place winner, and the Special Prize of the City of Florence, reserved for the variety whose color most closely resembles the red iris of the city's coat of arms.

More than just flowers

During the weeks it is open, the program is enriched with activities for enthusiasts: botanical drawing and watercolor courses, creative decoration workshops, and guided tours. A stroll through the flowerbeds, accompanied by the scent of flowers and the view of Florence, is an experience that appeals to botanists, photographers, families, and curious visitors alike. The event takes place in the Municipality of Florence, the capital of the Tuscany Region.