More Irises

"Bumblebee Delite". It's in a container. This is a small flower on a small plant. The falls stand out at a horizontal angle, rather than drooping. As soon as I find a location, I'll move it into the ground, where I think it will do better. Very cute little flower.

No-name 'Black Iris'

Liaison. This was the first one that we planted. It's a late bloomer, nicely fragrant.

A view of multiple varieties.

Another view of various varieties. The dark one is "Dusky Challenger" The color is a very dark blue, almost black.

Irises in bloom

China Moon

Edith Wolford

"American Classic"

Immortality. I hate to say it, but this one smells like cat urine. I first noticed it when I brought some inside. I kept thinking, "Where did the damn cat pee?". After taking it to work, people kept commenting "something smells like cat urine!". So it is very pretty, but stinky. This one is also supposed to be remontant. It is, but the first flowers are the most significant.

"No-name"

Whats blooming / what's planted / what's growing

This is the first that this wisteria has bloomed. It only took 6 years! Very fragrant.

SOme bearded iris are blooming. Photos hopefully to follow.

Tomatoes were all planted 1 week ago. Purchased pepper plants as well.

95 degrees for 3 days. Now in the 50s.

More Irises

Bumblebee Delite

Coral Sunset (new from Schreiner's)

Liaison (below)
Dusky Challenger

MORE Irises!

Betsy & I went to Schreiner's Iris garden in Oregon. Here I am among the blossoms. I never knew that there were so many (hundreds, probably thousands) of varieties of irises. Amazing.

Ning's Garden

Ning is in China for a few weeks, so these are posted for him to look up on the Blog. Hi Ning!

More irises

China Moon (said to be remontant)
"Ning's Rescue" found variety (mild fragrance)
"Immortality" (also remontant, huge ruffled pure white blossom)

Pink Iris

this one is jennifer rebecca. the leaves look unhealthy - mosaic? other cause? nice fragrance.

Bearded Irises In Bloom

Each year they become more impressive. The blue with blue & white falls was the earliest. The Yellow with brown falls is a 'rescue' - the tubers had been illegally discarded in the wild area where we walk the dogs. We 'discovered' the tubers lying in a plant-scrap-heap 2 years. We ago picked them up and replanted them here. They are about to bloom like crazy. If can locate the names of the others, I'll edit them into this entry. Several varieties are yet to bloom, which spreads the season out. The fragrance is something that I can't add to the blog. It's wonderful.

Addendum: I looked for the names of some of these irises. The yellow one is Sunny Disposition, which I suddenly remembered. (Why does my mind keep such trivial things and not important information?) Those were all from one tuber that I bought mail order about 4 years ago. Irises multiply! It's supposed to be a rebloomer. I also have Immortality which hasn't bloomed yet tihs year. It is also remontant, and did rebloom last summer. Jennifer Rebecca which has sickly leaves (and did last year) and is about to bloom; Liaison which is about to bloom; Edith Wolford is new (last summer, container plant) & doesn't look like it will bloom this year; China Moon is new (last summer, container plant) and almost blooming; Dusky Challenger was new (last summer, container plant) and almost blooming; Pink Attraction was new last fall (tubers only) and is about to bloom. It is also considered remontant.

Lris and Lilac

Lilacs are almost past their peak. The Irises are just beginning.

Bulbs blooming everywhere

Back from Vegas.

Flowers blooming like crazy. Above, small irises, tulips, muscari around the cherry tree.

Lilacs continue to bloom. Fragrant and lush. Meanwhile, tomato seedlings are growing quickly. Starting 2nd set of true leaves, about 3 inches tall. Outside temp 40s night, 60s-80s day.

Back home.

Returned last night.

Tulips are in full bloom. Many have been multiplying, more than I realized. Amazing, extravagant color.

Apples are in full bloom.

First irises (miniature) in bloom.

Weeds are becoming more plentiful.

Ning moved seedling zucchinis into his garden plot. The roots were growing through the paper cups.

We had the first of the Chinese Chives in dumplings last night.

The straberries and raspberries are blooming.

6 Months Back: Spring had Sprung.

One of the reasons to blog (or, pre-internet, keep a garden log) is to find perspective. Now the world is starting to look grey, leaves have fallen, perrenials are blackened and sad.

Exactly six months ago,l May 2006. Rhododendrons were blooming. Lush irises were filled with candy fragrance.

It helps keep me going to know that in the buds, and inside the rhozomes and bulbs, and under the ground, these plants are preparing themselves for another colorful Spring.

That's why I posted them now.