Bearded Irises Starting to Bloom. 4 May 25.

 Some of the bearded irises have started to bloom.

I had been frustrated about weeds - especially thistles - and worse, disease.  Last summer, I dug up the old iris flower bed, removed and cleaned up the rhizomes, and replanted them in a raised area surrounding a tree stump.  Contrary to recommendations and advice, I mulched with arborist chips.  I've been able to keep ahead of any weeds.

The result is, the plants look healthy and strong.  Slugs are still a challenge.  I use slug bait.  I didn't expect much if any bloom this year, so soon after planting.  However, there are about thirty flower stalks.

The first to bloom is a hybrid I created many years ago.  I had pollinated Immortality with pollen from Spiced Custard.  The result was a white-flowered bearded iris with golden beards.   I named it "Golden Caterpillar on Pilgrimage on Snowy Mountain, Seeking Enlightenment.  Or Golden Caterpillar for short.  

In a separate area, Sunny Disposition is blooming.  This area still needs some cleanup.

Iris germanica florentina has been blooming for a couple of weeks.  It is located inside the kitchen garden.  I thought this clump was Immortality, but I was wrong.

Iris dalmatica is also starting to bloom.  It's in the kitchen garden border.  This area also needs some cleanup.