Walter Flory Iris Garden

The garden features more than fifty standard bearded irises with more than half reblooming in October, as well as four of the five irises native to Virginia. Native shrubs, grasses, and perennials are also planted in the garden. The garden is located east of the Quarters building between the Pollination Garden and Native Plant Trail.

The iris garden began in 2001 when the American Iris Society planted hundreds of irises at Blandy for their 2003 annual convention. After the convention the garden was dedicated to Dr. Walter Flory. Since then, the garden has gone through several renovations. In 2021 large scale renovations include a stonewall and paths began with completion of all plantings in 2023. Read more about these renovations.

Dr. Walter Flory

This Iris Garden is named in honor of Dr. Walter S. Flory, Jr (1907-1998). Flory was one of the first Blandy graduate students and received his PhD in 1931 under advisor Dr. Orland E. White. In 1947 Flory returned to Blandy to work with White as Professor of Experimental Horticulture and Vice-Director of Blandy. In 1955 he was named the first Curator of the Blandy Arboretum. Flory was the PhDadvisor to numerous Blandy graduate students. In 1963 he became the Mary Reynolds Babcock Professor of Botany and Director of Reynolda Gardens at Wake Forest University. 

Caring for Iris 

• Expose tops of the rhizomes when planting.
• Plant in full sun and well drained soil.
• Avoid overwatering.
• Allow foliage to die back, do not cut back.
• Divide every 3 to 4 years.