Iris: Rooted in Beauty

Everything about an iris is unique.... the scent, the texture, vivid color, and sustainability.

Tackling the Eyesore Gardens.... One Garden at a Time

  Do you have those parts of your yard, garden, or property that you might call an eyesore ? We have a few of them, but today we tackled a big one. Once upon a time we created a iris garden on the east part of our house. It was lovely at first. Then the iris stopped blooming, the huge pine by the garden sucks out all the water, and weeds started to grow. We have talked about doing something about if for over a year.

 Today JEJ tackled the garden. He dug up the irises and weeds.

 I divided about a hundred irises into two hundred irises. Perhaps not quite that much, but it seemed like a lot.

 JEJ cleaned up the bed and put a new border around it. We will move yarrow plants in the fall. Yarrow can grow anywhere!!

Now I have my work cut out for me. Deciding where to put these plants and when to do it!!

Iris: Your World For a Moment

 “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, 

it's your world for the moment."

- Georgia O'Keeffe

Today I held irises in my hands and captured them through the lens of my camera. That certainly was my world for more than a moment. The weather seems just right for these beautiful flags this year. JEJ divided some so we are now seeing unique ones bloom that had been dormant for awhile. We also splurged and bought a few new ones. This collection has been taken over the last few weeks. Enjoy.

Lessons from the Garden: My Top Ten Perennial Flowers

 Other gardeners often ask me which perennial  flowers are my favorites in the garden. That is tough. It sometimes depends on the season and location of the plant. If you are just starting to garden, the perennial plants are the bones of your garden. They remain year after year and give structure to the garden. Often you have to move them or divide them, but they certainly are the bones.  Here are my top ten  perennials in no particular order:
1) Lilies: Lilies are a bulb and expensive perhaps at first, but they provide staggered color spots all through the summer. Some of them also smell very good!

 2) Roses: Now that I have found hardy roses that grow well in my climate and are easy to maintain . My favorite hardy roses are "Nearly Wild", " William Baffin" ( above in bloom right now), " Honey Perfume", any climbing " Iceberg", "Betty Prior" and "John Cabot."
3) Sedum: Whether "Autumn Joy" or any of the other varieties, they are simple to grow, can be excellent ground covers , and require little water.
4) Lavender: Again... great for bones in the garden, hardy, lovely fragrant flowers, and take less water.

 5)All spring bulbs: Whether you enjoy daffodils, crocus, tulips, iris or hyacinths they are worth having in the garden in the spring.
6) Chrysanthemums: They are the plant that reminds you fall is coming. The grow larger, bloom a long time, and add color after some other flowers begin fading.

 7)Columbine: I started with a few and now I have more than fifty. They spread easily, bloom in lovely colors, and remind you summer is right around the corner.

 8) Cranesbill: This is the perennial geranium that spreads and blooms in places that need texture and color. Some are also very fragrant.

 9) Dame's Rocket: I started some from seed years ago and they are everywhere in the spring with a lovely pinkish lavender bloom...hardy and great in cut bouquets.
10) Peony: Now that mine are finally getting with it, there is nothing more lovely than the rich pink and deep red of peonies.
In the weeks ahead I will also list my favorite blooming shrubs and vines.

After the Rain

 The gardens after a rain is something I love to capture on film, especially right when the sun comes back out.

The rain makes the honeysuckles look so fresh.

The smell of the air is a mixture of flower aromas and clean rain.

The bridal wreath spiraea blooms are hardy in rain or sunshine.

I know in hot,dry August I will be wishing again for columbines, rain, and cool air.

The Color Purple

As flowers bloom each week different colors emerge under the direction of Mother Nature. This week the prominent color is purple in many different shades and hues. Take a walk with me.

Monday Evening Garden Tour

I discovered the clamatis had begun to bloom

along with the beautiful new yellow rose. (a bargain at Yoke's in Deer Park!)

This unique iris is still hanging on.

The rain helped the peony along,then the sunshine helped it bloom.

Can't you just breathe in the scent of my favorite syringa ( mock orange), our Idaho state flower?
Heavenly.

Changes Here, There, Everywhere

 our honeysuckle is getting with it

 Here:
I am playing around here with the layout and design of this blog. I discovered lots of new ways to make my blog work for me so be patient. It may look different every time you visit for awhile.

There:
The garden shed now being converted into a guest cabin is shaping up nicely.

Today when we were trying to decide on flooring JEJ discovered the piece of vinyl  left over from the kitchen. I knew there was a good reason to save it.

We moved furniture out of the former chicken coop and the house. This has been an inexpensive project. I can't wait until it is done.

Everywhere:
After the constant rain I finally was able to pick a bouquet. The late spring flowers are putting on a show. 

The wedding garden got a small makeover.

We adopted new kitten siblings today. They are getting used to our place.

They are getting used to the camera quickly.

I never tire of the scent and loveliness of the irises.