An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

April 30, 2010

My-ris

This spring has been a spectacular one for Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) in my garden. I don't know if the prolonged cold we had this winter has anything to do with the number of blooms, or not, but I'll accept the increased numbers as partial compensation. These flowers have long been a favorite of mine, undemanding, except when in bloom, when they are very demanding of my attention.

My Current Favorite Iris



Yellow Iris with Purple Smoke



Amber and Burgundy Iris by Royal Purple Smoke Tree (2)



Striped Iris by White Fence (2)



Striped Iris by White Fence



Beyond Purple Iris



Iris by Fenway Park (2)



Iris 1



David and Rusty's Iris

If you want to know which cultivars these are, I am sorry but I dont know and am not sure I ever did. You have my permission to make up your own names.

More?
Posted by Les at 10:23 PM
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22 comments:

  1. danger gardenMay 01, 2010 12:34 AM

    Wonderful! So many of these are fabulous ones that I've only ever seen in my grandma's garden. Thank you for the memories.

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  2. Janet, The Queen of SeafordMay 01, 2010 7:06 AM

    Yeah, beauties, each and every one of them. One is prettier than the last. Great job on the closeups of the beards.

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  3. GailMay 01, 2010 7:44 AM

    Les, They're really gorgeous plants...and your photos are excellent! The photo with the burgundy shrub and just the green reaching toward the iris is my favorite. gail

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  4. CharlestonjoanMay 01, 2010 8:03 AM

    The flowers are beautiful but your photos are gorgeous. Wow!

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  5. Phillip OliverMay 01, 2010 11:19 AM

    Les, these are spectacular. Love the yellow iris with the smoke bush in the background. What a combination! I've noticed the iris have seemed to bloom a long time this year too.

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  6. Pam/DiggingMay 01, 2010 12:09 PM

    That amber-and-burgundy iris framed by the purple smoke tree is a F-I-N-E combo. I like the plain yellow iris in front of it too. Very nice!

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  7. AnonymousMay 01, 2010 1:54 PM

    Mine have been very prolific this spring as well. You have some beautiful selections Les! I love that one in the first photo, very striking. :)

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  8. AnonymousMay 01, 2010 2:19 PM

    Oh how superb they are, Les. The bearded iris are mostly without id here too, since most are passalongs. I love seeing close ups of the beards. What an elegant flower. Even the foliage enhances the garden with the blue green spikes the rest of the year. Love the yellow with the cotinus in the background, brilliant mix! :-)
    Frances

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  9. sweetbayMay 01, 2010 3:46 PM

    I think a lot of people end up making up their own names. It goes with iris territory.

    You have some very uniquely marked iris. Bearded iris are probably my favorite flower and I love seeing ones that other people have.

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  10. tinaMay 01, 2010 7:00 PM

    They've been spectacular here too. They are such an easy plant to grow. I love your combinations and that ruffled yellow one really is nice. I think your third one down is 'Christobel'. Randy identified mine and I believe yours is the same. It is a good iris and has actually won an AOM (1938 I think).

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  11. GeorgiaMay 01, 2010 7:18 PM

    Found out today that irises are my brother's favorite garden flower. I forwarded this post to him.

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  12. SwimrayMay 01, 2010 8:59 PM

    For some reason, I have great irises this year, too. I also have that burgundy/beige one from two years ago in a neighborhood plant swap, and am still trying to discover its name - catalog descriptions are not quite on the money. If you know the name, please share.

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  13. FloradoraMay 01, 2010 11:08 PM

    Holy moly! That stripy one is fantastic! Love the photo of that one's beard.

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  14. JohnMay 01, 2010 11:40 PM

    Your pictures get better all the time. I would only note that you fail to mention their fragrance. Surely Iris have one of the best perfumes of the flower kingdom. None of ours are in bloom yet, a measure of how far ahead of Maryland you are...

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  15. Connie in HartwoodMay 02, 2010 9:00 AM

    Lovely, Les. My iris are also nameless, since they're all rescues from various construction sites and abandoned houses. Each year, I anxiously await the first flower ... which arrived early last week. They're going great guns now.
    Connie

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  16. forestMay 02, 2010 1:45 PM

    I always wish that I had more bearded irises in my yard...when it is bloom time, but then I always end up taking them out during their long down time. Yours are incredible, though. I need a bigger garden to acdommodate these plants!

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  17. LonaMay 02, 2010 7:28 PM

    You have some spectacular and beautiful ones. Wonderful pictures!

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  18. LINDA from Each Little WorldMay 03, 2010 8:10 AM

    That first image looks like a painting!

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  19. CarolMay 03, 2010 11:42 PM

    Wow! Les... gorgeous photos of your lovely blooming iris! Magical light and colors.

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  20. LesMay 04, 2010 9:48 PM

    Friends,

    I would like to thank all of you for leaving such positive comments. Forgive me once again for not responding individually as it is a busy time for me. Thank you very much!

    Les

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  21. RandyMay 05, 2010 10:25 AM

    I agree with Pam, that is a striking combo. Beautiful shots...

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  22. Sarah LaurenceMay 05, 2010 3:58 PM

    Very punny! It’s fun to see irises on both your and Tina’s blog. Ours aren’t up yet. I love the contrast of the yellow against the red.

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