International Iris Competition takes place in Florence - LateRooms.com

LateRooms.com divulges gardeners from around the world will be booking hotels in Florence in May, when the city's annual International Iris Competition takes place.

The famous Iris Garden at the Piazzale Michelangelo is open to the public for the event, which runs from May 10th to 15th this year.

With a closing prize ceremony held at the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's iconic town hall, the competition is a highly prestigious occasion for iris growers in Italy and around Europe.

Participating blooms are judged on their colour, shape, aroma and resistance to disease, with individual prizes handed out for specific characteristics.

The competition is anonymous, meaning each plant is simply labelled with initials so the judges do not know the identity of the grower until the end of the contest.

A special prize known as the Fiorino D'oro is traditionally awarded to the red iris that most closely resembles the flower depicted in the official banner of the city.

The competition has been running since 1954 and remains one of the most popular annual events on the social calendar in Florence.

People visiting the city during the contest may like to use it as an opportunity to explore some of the other attractions, such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio.

To make the most of the International Iris Competition - you should consider booking your hotel Firenze to avoid disappointment.