Japanese Water Iris

Iris ensata has been a resident of our gardens for a number of years.  Our gravely soil quickly drains and these plants would prefer more moisture than they experience here.  Despite our dry conditions, these plants continue to create a dazzling display with little to no help from us.  The tightly wrapped bud will open in a single morning.  Patiently standing by watching usually reveals no movement by the flower parts.  A return visit a short time later features a fully opened flower.  It must be an amazing sequence to watch but so far we have never been that patient.

As beautiful as these flowers are, their time in the sun quickly ends.  The brief period of open flowers led to their decline in popularity here.  No new varieties have been purchased recently.  Another negative characteristic is the huge root mass that must be unearthed in order to make needed divisions.  A backhoe could handle that task while my attempts with a pry bar and fulcrum tax my skills to the limit.  The two back to back spade trick to divide the exposed root mass nearly pushes the tools to the breaking point.  A better plan would be to plant this specimen where it can be left alone.

As a general rule, we do not purchase plants that have been bred to be doubles.  In this instance the doubles are more attractive than the open single flowers.  The visible growth of sheep sorrel shows that this iris is working all alone

A close look at these flower petals that have been hit by rainfall shows just how delicate these flowers are.  It is highly likely that we will buy no more of these plants.  As long as they can make it on their own, they will hold their places in the gardens.

Off To A Fantastic Start

This is the kind of March day we have been waiting for.  No longer frigid, the wood anemone flowers are open and look happy.  Today was perfect for getting out there in the garden.  Ed started the morning working on removing the trees and brush under the electric wires.  I decided to work close to the house.  The sky was blue with a few fluffy white clouds, but the wind was blowing  pretty hard from the south.   I looked for a spot to work that was a little sheltered from the wind.

Ready for something different, Ed cut back one clump of the Siberian Iris .  This one is Lavender Bounty. We leave the dead foliage in place for its insulative value during winter.  Removing it now before new growth appears avoids the disappointment of cutting off new growth tips.  When he was working on the Roaring Jelly plants  he discovered the beginnings of a rabbit nest in the crown of the plant.  If that bunny is smart she will move on and build her nest elsewhere.  When it comes to rabbits Ed roots for Mr. McGregor  while I'm a softy, but even I have my limits!  No rabbit is welcome in the garden but baby bunnies are a particular nuisance.  They can slip right through my wire fencing.  Nothing is safe from their meal time.

I had a fabulous time clearing under the Clove Currant bushes.  Wild white asters really took over this bed.  The plants are still there. They are a weed, native plant that grows incredibly well here.  I feel like I accomplished a great deal this morning.  I also got to see 7 different flocks of geese fly over heading north. They we so high up that they were tiny. Their honking was still loud enough to make me look up from my work.

After lunch and a short nap, Ed and I both headed back outside.  Clouds had moved in but it was still too nice to stay inside.   First, Ed drove to the back to clean out the rest of the bluebird boxes.  Having seen a pair of bluebirds house hunting, that job could be put off no longer.   I worked removing the stems from  red bee balm.  It's fragrance filled the air while I worked.  Wow it's good to be back in the garden!  When he returned we both worked on the bed in front of the house.

Ed's work displaced the first snake of the season.  It was a small garter snake with a bright red tongue.  He was not happy.  Clearly Ed was between him and where he wanted to go.  When Ed moved away  we both watched in amazement as the snake disappeared down a small space between the house foundation and the stone path.  I will be watching for him since he has distinctive markings just behind his head.  It will be neat to see how much he grows if he manages to avoid the milk snakes that live here too!

We worked until we were both very tired and spent some time sitting on the bench together.  Tomorrow is another day.  We are off to a fantastic start!

Japanese Water Iris

The magic of Iris Ensata is apparent in this photo.  A tightly wrapped flower bud is about to open into a complex broad blossom.  Hours have been devoted to trying to catch the moment of unfurling but it has yet to be seen.  Nearly daily rain has limited our time in the garden this month and the weeds are growing explosively.  We have no time to stand around waiting for these flowers to open but it must look mystical.

This beauty has been with us for several years.  We were able to lever it out of the ground and divide it in the past.  A five foot pry bar and a 4 inch square block of wood multiplied my arm force sufficiently to raise the entire plant up from the ground.  Its root mass extended under the dry stone wall that serves as the foundation for the shed.  Passing time has left its mark and I am unsure if uprooting this plant can be repeated.

Five different times we ordered new plants.  All are single despite catalog pictures showing doubles.  That is fine with us since the relative simplicity of a single flower displays the complex beauty of these plants.  Time of open flowers is a disadvantage here.  Flowers last only slightly longer than day lilies.  In both instances, it seems a shame that such exquisite beauty should exist for only a brief moment.

As mentioned, the weeds have really taken hold of our garden.  However, if one's focus is directed toward the open flowers, then weeds seem to disappear.  Nothing can detract from the visual impact of this pure white flower.  Late June is made special here by these Japanese Iris.

Here For Only A Moment

Iris ensata captured our attention several years ago.  Their nearly waist high foliage looks crisp and fresh all season.  How the blossoms unfold is nothing short of a miracle.  A long sharp cone of tightly wrapped petals pushes up and out of a green capsule.  Then, rather quickly, the flower unfolds.  Many times I had stood nearby watching, hoping to see actual movement, but I always impatiently move away without seeing anything happen.  The flowers are short lived lasting only a couple of days.
 

This purple wonder is nearly open.  The mechanics of the unwrap are mysterious.  Had the biting bugs been less vicious this morning, I might have lingered here to watch the show.

Fully open, the flower displays its deep purple veins.  Structurally bizarre, its beauty is somewhat creepy.

Pink Lady is the name assigned to this beauty.  Here the form of the flower is more normal in its appearance.  We must quickly take a moment to enjoy this show as it will all too soon end.