03/21/2016

Backyard - First Day of Spring 2016

4/14/15

Kelly's Path

I dedicated this part of my garden to my friend Kelly a few years ago.The blindingly bright Golden Oregano, I know, would bring a smile to her face, if she were here. I think of her every time  I walk down this path.

4/13/15

Iris All Aboard, Clown Around, Well Endowed and Texas Gold Columbine

The Iris look particularly dashing in front of the Texas Gold Columbine Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Hinckleyana,' this year.

04/16/12

I've lost the tag for this Iris so I can't remember which one it is.  Since it is blooming so magnificently today, on what would be my mother's 83rd birthday, I shall dedicate it to her. 

03/27/12

Japanese Rose - Kerria japonica

Iris germanica 'Change of Pace'

Texas Gold Columbine - Aquilegia chrysantha 'Hinckleyana'

Tiger Eyes Saghorn Sumac - Rhus typhina

Lenten Rose -Helleborus orientalis  (forming seeds)

 

Iris germanica 'Victoria Falls'

I just came in from snapping a few things blooming in my garden.  This is just the beginning!

04/25/11

Iris germanica 'Gypsy Romance'

The Iris are still performing.  This one opened up today.  The name 'Gypsy Romance' conjures up images of deep and lush hues.  Her colors go from deep violets that move into deep purples and then into dark blues and finally into golden yellows.  I'm guessing this progression is how she got her name!

04/21/11

Iris germanica 'Midnight Oil'

I've just begun to be fascinated with 'black' flowers.  In most cases the flowers are not black but dark enough to make you think they are. 

Iris 'Midnight Oil' is a deep deep shade that at first sight appears black.  The buds, look to me, to really be black.  The open flowers however reveal a glorious mix of deep shades of purples and maroons.  Midnight never looked so good!

04/14/11

Iris germanica 'Well Endowed'

This is one of my new Iris.  It stands inches above the rest.  I wonder how many inches!

btw- I did  not make up the name!

04/11/11

Iris germanica 'Stellar Lights'

This is one galactic beauty!

04/11/11

Iris germanica 'Drama Queen'

Every garden needs a little drama!

04/06/11

Iris germanica 'Clown Around'

I got several new Iris last year.  This is the first one to bloom.  Someone got it right when they named her 'Clown Around.'  The colors remind me of the circus.  This Iris isn't the 'greatest show on earth' but it's close!

04/01/11

Iris germanica

The first Iris was sold at a hardware store as 'Color Tart.'  It doesn't seem to match what I see around with the same name, so I am assuming it was labeled incorrectly.  Whatever it is, I love it!  I named The second  Iris 'Debbie's Gift,' after the friend who gave it to me.  I love its subtle yellow markings.

03/28/11

Iris germanica 'Prissy Miss'

I bought the rhizome for 'Prissy Miss' at the hardware store nine or ten years ago.  She has been my best performing Iris.  She multiplies rapidly so I'm able to pass her around to friends almost every year.  She is also the iris that gets the most comments from people.  She has just started to bloom so her display is about to begin.  Step right up to see the show.  And friends, let me tell you, there ain't nothing prissy about this miss!

3/19/11

Awww -the simple elegance of a pure white Iris!

05/17/10

Louisiana Iris (Black Gamecock)

I had this Iris growing in a pot in my little container pond. Somehow it leaped down to the ground and grew like gangbusters. Truthfully, I planted one that had fallen off of the mother plant. I can't believe in such a short amount of time how much it has multiplied. It's nice to have these bloom after the German Iris have all finished their show. Other than needing lots of water, they are pretty carefree.

04/18/10

Iris

It's a toss in the spring weather I can't wait more for the blooms of the Rose or the Iris. I've lost record of most of the names, and have many hand me downs. I just call them all 'my lovely Iris.'

04/10/09

My 'Prissy Miss' Iris are putting on a show this year. I love the peachy pink color!

04/18/08

A few years ago I decided to move some Iris into my Yucca bed. I liked how the foliage of the Iris echoed the sharp foliage of the Yucca. I also knew they would thrive together having the same growing conditions of sun and dry soil. I started with early blooming white Iris but in the past couple of years I've introduced color. The bed also includes other sun loving dry soil plants like Zexmenia hispida, Tetraneuris scaposa more commonly known as Four Nerve Daisy, Calylophus drummondianus, and Helianthus maximiliana also known as Maximilian Sunflower. Some of the Iris I know by name and some are hand me downs. The most recent addition is 'Royal Knight.' It is a wavy dark blue. The peach colored Iris is 'Prissy Miss' and 'Victoria Falls' is a beautiful blue. I look forward to adding more Iris, named or not, as the years go by.

02/22/08

I am lucky enough to have a boss who also enjoys the pursuit of gardening. Early on, when I was bit by the gardening bug, she gave me some plants from her garden. Thanks Beverly! :) This white Iris is one of them. It is very early to bloom and can sometimes be seen blooming in January. They have multiplied abundantly so I have moved them to various places in my garden. They currently live in my Iris bed, Yucca bed, and Moon Garden. Iris is my second favorite flower and the blooms on this one always puts me in good spirits.