Scott Hodge, age 14. of Glendale, Ariz., for his question:

HOW LARGE DOES AN IRIS BLOSSOM GROW?

Iris is a name that comes from the Greek word for rainbow. The flower does indeed come in a wide variety of colors. And the size of the plants and flowers also vary greatly. Flowers range in size from some just an inch across to others that are over one foot across.
Iris plants may grow from six inches to over six feet tall. These perennial plants bloom from April through July in all of the temperate regions.
The leaves rise directly from rhizomes or underground stems. Some iris rhizomes are bulblike, but most are elongated. Iris rhizomes contain a poison, and eating them can cause severe stomach upset.
There are actually thousands of different kinds of irises. The plants need lots of sun and average soil. Some varieties like well drained soil while others do best in moist soil.
The unusual shape of the iris sets it apart from other flowers and makes it easy to recognize. It has three sets of three petal like parts. The lower set, called the falls, flares out and hangs down. The three upper segments curve up into a dome. They are known as standards. Three curved style branches cover the stamens in the center.