Wednesday, June 04, 2014

I Heart Iris


My iris are now blooming!  I'm always so happy to see these magnificent showy flowers come into bud and then finally explode into these absolute beauties.  The above iris is such a pale, soft lavender that it's almost dove grey.  It's quite modest at first glance, but then we you actually get down there and look at it for a photo shoot, it has such amazing details.

 
Like beautiful ladies dressed for a ball ...
 
 
My mother passed along most of these iris to me, and then I dug up all that I could find when we sold her house.  They just take me right back to her long driveway which she lined with iris (below two photos).  I wish I had some of these pretty purply brown iris, but I don't.  I think my sisters both have some, but it's been difficult getting them to split some for me.


My wonderful mom Violet :)


I just have the two colours blooming at the moment, and the "black" iris is just about ready to bloom now.  That was Mom's favourite, and it's quite a show stopper.  I love the way these petals ready to unfurl are tinged ever so slightly with brown (below).  The petals seem to untwist as they open up.


The centres of the iris are so interesting as well.  Like a whole little world in there.

 
The petals are slightly sparkly, but not sure if you can make that out in the photos.
 
 
My peonies are also coming out.  I notice a neighbour down the street has peonies in full bloom and they're huge!  My little hot pink peony is still rather small.  I transplanted it a couple of years ago, and I know you're not supposed to, but it's actually doing better for the move.  It was too shady where I had it.  I think it'll be out fully tomorrow.


And here is my sad, sick little dog ... but don't feel too sorry for him ... 

 
I changed his dog food for a slightly less expensive brand this week.  He has a sensitive tummy and can't really tolerate a wild change in diet, but I thought he'd be ok.  This morning he wouldn't touch his breakfast, and I thought he was suffering a bit from the changeover at his supper last night.  However, later in the morning I discovered the new bag of dog food that was clipped closed at the top had been ripped open on the side!  Sneaky pup had actually loved the new food so much that he couldn't resist helping himself to a feast of it on the sly while we slept.  We've always kept the dog food in the same place in the basement and he's never tried to get into it before.  Boy, is he uncomfortable this morning.  I've never seen him go so slowly on his walk ... and I think walking is the only thing that is going to ease his belly.  I doubt he learned his lesson though, so the food has been moved.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy

31 comments:

  1. I love irises too although I only have one variety in my garden. I like to see them grouped together in large swathes.

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  2. Your photos of the Iris are just beautiful! And such special memories for you. :) The photo of your mom is so sweet. Hugs to the poor pup - hope he's feeling better soon!!

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  3. Oh, poor puppy!! They can be little wotsits though when they are after food can't they. Hope that he is feeling better soon. Your Irises and Peony are beautiful Wendy, especially the Irises!!! Truly stunning. I love them so much. Your Mum was obviously a great gardener who has passed her talents on to you in this department. I am sure that she would be pleased to know that you are keeping on growing her Irises and other plants, that is how we all go on in time with little things like this. I hope that someday you can you either get some of the other coloured ones or perhaps find a plant to buy yourself as they are lovely too. Happy gardening!! xx

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  4. Your irises are definitely like ladies dressed for a ball. It is a perfect metaphor and that is how I felt about my irises too. It was like there was ballroom of irises in my garden. This is such a special time in the spring. I love the photo of your darling mom in front of the irises with a thumbs up. She knew just how special her irises are and they are still amazing in your garden too. One day, you'll have divisions for your children's garden. How cool would that be?

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  5. Wendy what stunning photographs, you are so talented in every way, wish I could grown lovely flowers like this. Gorgeous. Big hugs
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  6. Oh my - your Irises are just gorgeous! Love that photo of your Mom.!!

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  7. your iris's are gorgeous thanks for sharing-I love seeing in what's in my friends gardens-enjoyed the photo of your Mom too-
    that's unusual that he wanted more food-lol so he must have really loved it, I bought a new organic cat food from purina to try and our miss calico loves it

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  8. All the iris are GORGEOUS, Wendy. They are so amazing they look "almost unreal". I don´t think I have ever seen them in person

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  9. Your irises are very pretty, Wendy. I really love the pale lavender ones, they're different from the ones I've usually seen. I hope your pup is feeling better soon, silly boy.

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  10. I had forgot how beautiful an iris was until ours opened at the new house. And yours are just spectacular! I sure hope you get some that belonged to your mom. Love the color of your peonie! Aww... the poor puppy!

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  11. All that Spring gorgeousness is a delight to the eye!! Irises, peonies, lilacs. lily of the valley etc....your garden must be as pretty as a picture!! Such a sweet photo of your mom.....and that puppy of yours....hope his tummy is feeling better soon.

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  12. Fabulous Irises and what personalities they have! Such beautiful finery!
    Great seeing your gorgeous garden through your eyes...and lens!
    Ali x

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  13. I love gardening... Beautiful photos! I love irises xox

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  14. Your iris are so pretty! I have some where we live now, and I have really been enjoying them. We didn't move here until mid-July last year, so the iris have been a surprise. I thought all those tall green plants were a kind of grass, so was shocked when flowers appeared this spring.

    Your dog story is funny. I wonder if he will still like that food after having made himself sick on it.

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  15. Beautiful photos! The iris are so incredible - they are indeed like ladies dressed for a fancy ball! You'll have to sneak to your sisters' gardens and just divide some of those brownie ones yourself! Poor pooch, naughty little devil! Love the photo of your mom, my youngest is a Violet! Chrissie x

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  16. Beautiful irises! And poor puppy, he looks a quite sorry for himself! xx

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  17. Your Irises are stunning. Poor pup... but you are right, they never learn do they!

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  18. Poor pup ... have to say, the whippets would do exactly the same thing!

    Your irises are gorgeous ... I'm rather partial to irises myself and am envying you that pale grey one, it's stunning.

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  19. Beautiful blooms Wendy, and so wonderful that they came from your lovely Mom - I hope that one of your sisters' will pass on the colour that you so want, soon! Ah, poor puppy, but then he was really naughty wasn't he; all the same, I hope that by now he is feeling a whole lot better! Happy weekend, xoJoy

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  20. What a nice photo of your beautiful Mom among the pretty flowers. I've never seen irises with such big blooms. You must both have green thumbs! Enjoy your weekend...hope the weather's nice! Hugs, Diane

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  21. Wow your iris flowers are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog! Have a nice weekend.
    Julie

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  22. Those are SO pretty! My purple ones have just started opening. My purple and white bearded are just budded, the rust colored ones are just starting, and a few pink are only buds. I love iris too!

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  23. Hi Wendy Just popped over from Dorothy's Room-What beautiful pictures of the gorgeous flowers you have! It looks such a wonderful area where you live. Your poor dog-hope his tummy is better soon! My old dog Kate would have done exactly the same, whatever food she could find she would gobble the lot until she exploded! Have a lovely week, Alison xx
    http://farmhousetraditions.blogspot.co.uk/

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  24. Good morning! I'm visiting from Lavender Cottage.
    Out here on the west coast my miniature irises have bloomed, but the bigger ones are still in hiding. They make such a pretty show!
    I hope your dog feels better soon - it's a hard lesson, but one that not many of them learn. :)

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  25. I have just found your super blog. I no longer have a garden but I have now found a wonderful place to visit, your iris's look amazing, I have never really looked at them at some of your angles and it is stunning. Thank you for brightening my day

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  26. Your irises are beautiful. My first ones are out now. Your Mom reminds me of my own, who I lost about a year ago. I miss her every day.

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  27. Your irises are beautiful. My first ones are out now. Your Mom reminds me of my own, who I lost about a year ago. I miss her every day.

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  28. Oh Sweet Wendy!
    You have beautiful Iris! What a wonderful treat you have shared with us today-they make my heart sing!
    Iris are one of my very favorite flowers-but in this hot, hot State of Texas they just don't do very well...So these pictures are perfect for me-sweet picture of you Mom too.
    Love,
    Jemma

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  29. I have no idea how I missed this post....your irises are the most amazing blooms ever! My goodness! And what makes them sweeter is that you got them from your mom. A pure gift for sure! What I would do to have some of my grandmas roses. I think about how that if I was just a bit older when she passed that I would have known to ask for them. I always love seeing your garden friend and your new blog design is stunning. I hope that you and your family are well....take care...Nicole

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  30. Wendy how lovely to see your fabulous Mom, she is gorgeous, just like you. I love your flowers Wendy, these are a particular favourite of mine as they are just like ladies dancing - just as you describe them. A very elegant lady in such wonderful dresses. A feast for the eyes Wendy, thank you. Sorry for not visiting for a while the old day job has been keeping me very busy! Wonderful to read your blog Wendy, always good fun. Big hugs and loves, Dorothyxxxxx

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  31. Funny story about your silly dog. He is cute. Love your photos, the iris are beautiful and so intricate. Your mom looks like a sweetheart and lots of fun.

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