The genus Iris includes nearly 300 species, and is one of the most familiar of flowers. There are species for full sun or shade, wet soil or dry, all of which are generally considered easy to grow given the right conditions. Norfolk Botanical Garden has over 40 species represented by nearly 300 different varieties, including many that are native to Coastal Virginia. Although, they can be seen throughout the Garden, one of the best places to see them is on the backside of our Border Walk, where a collection of the elegant Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) is in full bloom from mid-May into early June.