Iris

What’s happening on Mist Mountain ?  A Walk-Around in April, a very unpredictable month.

The Iris is a statement in contradiction , in my opinion.

Starting with its appearance.  The leaves are big and clumsy looking, the stems are long and not as strong, and the flowers are beautiful and delicate.

It is very prolific, and grows in a lot of different environments.  The trick is finding that spot, and getting it planted perfectly, then leave it alone.  The rhizomes are not totally buried when planting, but must be sort of nestled in the dirt half exposed as if they were a part of the ground line landscape.  Only then will they not only grow their spiky leaves but also bloom.  Their flowers can be all colors you can want and some you haven’t even thought of.

My irises were given to me about 8 years ago.  They had been planted in window boxes.  Not a good idea.  Definitely not enough room.  So I pulled them out, divided them up , and planted them in what I thought was “the” spot.  A few bloomed.  I didn’t get them nestled perfectly, and it wasn’t “the” spot. Two years ago I moved a few to my early morning sun garden with the lilies and they love it, but there isn’t enough room for all of them, so I am on a mission to figure out another perfect spot for the remaining ones.

Once they are happy, they really  don’t need you anymore.  Hmmm, sound familiar.

This is where they are at in April:

This is what I envision: