COLUMBIA, Mo. – According to Greek mythology, a golden-winged goddess named Iris traveled on a rainbow to bring messages from gods to mortals. Legend has it that colorful flowers sprung up at the end of the rainbow wherever she stepped.

“Today, the flower named in honor of Iris comes in every color of the rainbow and adorns yards and gardens everywhere with its showy flowers born in spring,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “A flower of contrasts, iris is very durable while maintaining its intricate and delicate beauty.”