This morning I walked around the garden for the first time since my surgery two weeks ago. It was a really cold night last night with the temperatures down in the low 20s, but today the sun is shining as brightly as ever. I just knew the freeze would have left its mark and it had. Daffodils can only spring back so many times. They lie bruised and forlorn as does the one single flowering California poppy. I was thrilled to see it was a white one but alas its bud was never to open. The gopher plant may not produce any seedlings this year because it has been too cold for the bees to visit and this morning the yellow bracts are past their prime. But then I went down into the sunken garden and was greeted by these dwarf iris,
Iris reticulata.
They have been in this spot for years and I think this is the best blooming. It could be that last summer being so dry suited the formation of the bulbs. Don't I wish now that I had planted clumps all around the garden? There is little sign that any of the larger bearded iris are producing buds which is probably a good thing. Once the warmer weather comes they will soon catch up.
How lovely! What a shame that so many of your other flowers got zapped. Here the snow is slowly beginning to melt.
ReplyDeleteThose Iris are so beautiful. Mine are just forming their buds. I hope you are feeling better and recovering very well.
ReplyDeleteThe Iris are beautiful. Does the sunken garden offer a protective microclimate?
ReplyDeleteThose iris flower stalks may be short but the flowers are certainly every bit as stunning as their taller counterparts. Perhaps even more so as the contrast between the overhanging taller strappy leaves and colored blooms makes their colors really pop. I'm betting in seasons to come you'll be enjoying a few more of these in your spaces. Their blooms can always remind you of how gratified you were to get back in your gardens after surgery!
ReplyDeleteJust love the colors of the iris.
ReplyDeleteSorry so many things got zapped....but glad to hear you are getting around ok.
Your iris looks great, and a welcome change from dryland plants. Just saw some amazing daffodils here and a friend near Abq said the same - not the usual, so I need to get photos! Though we're cooler than your area, we also don't go up and down...low 20's, ouch...hopefully this is the last of hard freezes for you?
ReplyDeleteGreat pic of you and Mr. Rock Hauler w/ the cake, on the top of your blog!
They are beautiful, I noticed many iris blooms around town this week and might try to plant some dwarf bulbs for a little spring boost to the garden. So good to hear you are out and about in the garden. I'm headed out to check some of my favorites soon too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful iris. You are way ahead of me here in Ohio. Just warming up this week and the snow is melting except for the spots it was piled 3-4 feet high. I see a little green grass. I also have some dwarf iris and want to see them. Mine are yellow. And I have some tiny ones in a trough too. Only about 6 inches high.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's really pretty. I've never tried that iris before. I may have to. Today I noticed honeybees all over my gopher plant flowers. Maybe they'll find yours too.
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