Iris Inspection with my Garden Associate!

Grandson Shawn * March 28, 2012

Well, I'm back with the final update on my small flowerbed makeover from November, and, I brought my grandson Shawn, aka 'Scooter', with me.  Some of you may recall, I did a 'self video' of how I cleaned out this small, neglected flower bed after last summer's devastating drought!  It was an inexpensive project, since I already had plenty of Iris to move, and, the rock edging just needed to be re-arranged.  Below is a collage of the transformations as they took place from the original plantings until now.

photos and collage by Suzanne * KardKorner Headquarters

November 19, 2011 ~ March 30, 2012

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Just what do we know about the almighty Iris?  That they're EVERYWHERE?  I thought they came from Kansas...but, I've been in Texas quite a while, and, I didn't bring them with me!  Hey!  You Floridians!  Did they come from your neck of the woods?  How about England and Australia...I'll bet there are plenty of Iris in your beautiful countries too!

Well, 'Scootie' and I did some digging worldwide and came up with a few answers to our questions.

just a few!!!

As we already know, Iris survive in most climates...specifically throughout the North temperate regions of the world.  Those areas would include, the meadowlands and riverbanks of Europe, and the Middle East...and, Northern Africa, Asia, and North America.

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A little history

Iris got it's name from the Greek...it means rainbow, probably because they can be acquired in various colors.  A common name sometimes given to the Iris is 'flags'.

Iris is the ancient Greek goddess for the Messenger of Love.  And this sacred flower is considered a symbol of communication and messages: 

* the Purple Iris symbolizes wisdom and compliments.

* the Blue Iris is a symbol of faith and hope.

* the Yellow Iris symbolizes passion.

* and, the White Iris is a symbol of purity.

Here we have Iris, the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow

a lovely interpretation 

And, we also know that Iris come in many different colors, and shapes.  I've never raised any exotic Iris, such as the 'Dutch Iris', or the 'Butterly Iris', but they are very beautiful plants.  I've only had the pleasure of growing the common Iris, in a few of the pastel shades.

And here is an Iris from my FlowerBed makeover in November.

It's called 'Tall White Bearded Iris'

photo by Suzanne ~ March 28, 2012

and what a fragrance!  Undescribable

And these dudes got tall!!! So far I've only gotten to reap a few stems with four to six blooms on each.  I just don't know if any more will bloom for me this year.

I don't know...guess he's getting ready to haul!!!

Towering above the tower water feature

And these Iris smell like grapes!  Ummm...

A priceless smile!

Time to 'freak' Grandma out!

How about that Peace and Love headband?

Now it's back to work!

Time to wind down.  For all it's worth, the Iris is probably the simplest flowering plant to grow.  But, now that Spring is upon us, with continually warming temperatures, my Pansies are starting to wane.  I have already purchased some Impatiens that will replace the bright little faces until next fall.

    Here are just a few tips that have always worked for me: 

* Iris has a long, kind of potato-looking root that is easily planted.  Don't dig a large hole and bury the root.  Just scoop a shallow gully that will fit the size of your root, and place the root so the plant is standing.  I kind of pack the soil around the root and leave a bit of the top exposed.  This is what I was told to do by an old farmer who lived on the Brazos River, just west of Fort Worth.

* Iris do like water, but they don't care if  you miss a day or two.  They're easy...and can grow in just about any kind of soil.

* They can be planted on fence rows, around trees, on hillsides...I mean, just anywhere!

* Remember, if you want to transplant any of your Iris, do it after the blooming season, or early fall.  If you wait until next spring they will not bloom until the following year. 

* And, as the blooms dissipate, cut them off as close to the bottom of the stems as you can to keep the plant looking attractive.  When the leaves start looking bad, cut them down, all the same size if you can, with scissors.  I try to make a fan shape for each plant.  Once again, the plant can continue to look attractive.  Trust me...the leaves will grow back! 

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I want to thank my cutie 'Scootie' for all of his help last week in the yard.  He's a real trooper...well, at his age, VERY EAGER to join in! 

And, thank you my dear, faithful readers for joining in on the Iris fun.  Since, I STILL can't figure out how to put links from my previous posts in a new post for references, I will just tell you that if you want to view my self videos of this little flowerbed makeover, they are in my archives under FlowerBed Makeover, Part 1 and Part 2.  They were done on November 20, 2011 and November 26, 2011, respectively.

As always, I must thank:

Yahoo

Google

wikipedia

theflowerexpert.com

Hi Mom!

"OKAY...I'm done here!"
(1973 Mustang convertible in the background being restored)

"There is no time like the old time,

when you and I were young.

When the buds of April blossomed,

and the birds of spring-time sung!"

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have a safe and beautiful Easter holiday

from MyTexasGardens!

Got eggs?