An array of beautiful irises will be the center of attention at Saturday’s annual Iris Show in Murfreesboro.

The Spring Iris Show and Region Seven Spring Convention is scheduled for May 14 at Riverdale High School from 1:30-5 p.m. The show is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Region 7 American Iris Society/Mid-State Iris Association and Riverdale Future Farmers of America.

Entrants will come from across the United States for this annual show. Yet whether a grower or only an observer, this is an event you will not want to miss.

For entrants, registration will be May 13 at 5 p.m. with entries being taken for Single Blossom, Photo Exhibits, the Iris Show and Silent Auction of Iris Artifacts. A pre-show will be held at 6 p.m. that night. In addition to submitting entries, growers have the opportunity to enroll in four seminars to be held through Sunday. Seminars are scheduled for May 13 at 7:30 p.m., May 14 at 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., with the last one on May 14 at 10 a.m.

The seminars are designed for iris lovers to come learn and have a wonderful time with other iris growers. Dr. Chuck Bunnell, Breeder of the 2014 Dykes Medalist "Dividing Line," will talk on how to succeed even where lots of snow falls and the growing season is short. There will be a live interview with Barbara Nicodemus, iris breeder from Buffalo, Missouri, who will teach how to breed Tall Bearded that are not beautiful weaklings. Darnell Hester will explain how to build your own iris website and sell plants from your garden.

The name iris means rainbow. Irises come in many colors with there being over 200 species. The iris was named for the Greek goddess, the Messenger of Love. Her sacred flower is considered the symbol of communication and messages. Therefore the flower iris in the language of flowers symbolizes eloquence.