Magnificent irises show at the Belvoir Park (Switzerland)

A little heaven in a Zurich Park near the Lake of Zurich

Every year at the same time there is a display of 120 irises in the colorful park of Belvoir.  The iris garden was conceived by Walter Frischknecht in 1985.

Guided tours are organized, some from the park gardeners themselves. One will be on:

• 24. Mai 2011 – tour with the lady taking care of the iris garden, Alexandra Fuchs – from 2:00 p.m and  lasting about 30 minutes. The Belvoir Park is located on Seestrasse just next to the Austrian Consulate. You can reach it with Tram 7 or Buses 161 & 165.

About the iris plant:

• means rainbow
• comes in many colors like yellow, white, purple, pink, orange, brown, blue and even in black
• associated with the Greek Goddess Iris for messages, rainbow and love
• has up to 300 varieties
• grows from 3 inches to 4 feet
• we know it already existed at the time of ancient Greeks and Egyptians
• grows near ponds, dry areas, water and swamps.
• French royalty had chosen the Fleur de Lis as its symbol in 500 with Clovis
• was important to ancient Egyptians, Greeks and to the Romans
• used in essence and medicine

There are two types of irises: bulbous irises (meaning it grows like an onion) and rhizomes (plant has roots). Rhizomes types have bearded, beardless and crested irises.

Mini irises grow in March-May, Mid size Bearded irised in May and Tall Bearded iris plants in June/July.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of irises from the Belvoir Park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful time strolling through the garden if you can come this year.

 

 

 

• Belvoir park
• gardens
• Iris
• Switzerland