Japanese iris

We only have a few JI's here, and were getting some pretty blooms for a change. These are all rescues from a ditch downtown. Most are still there blooming. I can't give them as much water as they would like so they aren't as big and showy as they could be.

Winding down

Iris season is winding down now. Still alot of blooms, and the Japanese are just starting, but the bulk have passed. It's been pretty overwhelming and I'm a bit burnt out on pics. I took thousands and have kept 615 so far. Here's a few highlights.

Beotie. The color is not showing correctly in the photos. It is a gray-lavender-blue. Very smoky and subdued, but rich. Had seen it before but three stalks in bloom was just gorgeous. This one will get a more prominent position.


Loving Bronze Bell. Great shade of brown.


Cahokia has thrilled me for two years in a row. What a great iris! The color and form are really something. It blooms later too and extends the blue tone for the season, as my others are generally early.


On another note, I've managed to keep the deer of the rosa glauca and it is finally getting to put out a mass of blooms for us.


The peonies are really looking good this year. Finally filled in. On another note... Mr. Petey likes his sunbeam.


More to come...

Irises in the Garden

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The Cathedral

Each evening the sunshines thru sideways and lights up the flowers with a golden glow, turning the garden into a carnival of color to rival any cathedral's windows.

Lions at the Gate...

... and at the door. Guarding the family from any rodents or small birds that may wander by. Lol.




The shade border is really filling in beautifully. The Soloman's Seal is just amazing - such structure! The mock orange is about to bloom for the first time. Fantastic fragrance.


I love taking pics of the irises just before the sun sets, when the soft golden light comes in from the side and lights them all up like stained glass windows. Here's a few from last night. Click the photos to see the larger versions.

More irises...

Here's a few shots I thought were pretty good. I just love seeing all the new varieties open for the first time.

Another week, another slew of irises. This charming little yellow IB (intermediate bearded) opened a few days ago. Was supposed to be Prairie Gold but isn't. Nice tho.


The PCIs (Pacific Coast Iris) are opening now. Had three today. This dark purple beauty might be Night Editor but I can't find a pic to compare. Whatever it is it is covered in blooms. Stunning.


The next came from my Great Aunt Glady's place in Morrisonville, IL. It might be I. kochii but my IK has never bloomed so I can't compare them. Argh.


Last for irises is Chanted. A wonderful little pink with a blue beard. The camera just won't capture the smokiness, making it too pink.


The pansy with the Mexican feather grass in the pot grouping beside the front door is just amazing. We have enjoyed it so much, along with all the succulents planted in the terracotta and 'tufa pots.


And what would spring be without bleeding hearts? Sad, I tell you, just sad. I adore bleeding hearts. Actually, anything in the dicentra family or its relatives is loved here. Corydalis? Love it. Climbing bleeding heart? Love it. Love'em all.




More to come...

May pics

Way over due for a few new photos. Here's some irises:

Ritz - One of my favorite SDBs.


Pilgrim's Choice - The color is ethereal and impossible to capture with a camera. You have to see it in person. here's a close-up.




I. taochia - The slugs keep getting the flowers before I can get a shot of them. The color is amazing. So rich and metallic.


The annual open garden weekend is coming up: May 23-24, 10am - 5pm. Other times by appointment. Drop me a line - mikes.garden (at) gmail.com. I made this double sided sign to sit by the road at the end of the driveway, as the place is a little hard to find. I thought it turned out pretty good, even if the lettering is sloppy. I'll get the stand finished the next rainy day.


Miles came for a visit last weekend and helped me out in the garden. We got so much done! (And thank you so much, Miles.) He took the following three pics while here. I thought they were excellent. Especially the sky. The blue flowers are brunnera 'Langtrees'. Excellent shade plant. Very tough as well as beautiful.

Fresh spring pics...

Lilac - 'R& B Mills'

Blooms for late April

The first bearded irises opened last monday. This little variety of i. lutescens popped open and surprised me. It hadn't even been showing color the day before. I've been spreading them out the past few years along the edge of the driveway, with the intention of eventually having a large sweep of color. They are spreading nicely. The tip of the bloom is only 5 inches off the ground.


The Fritillaria imperialis bloomed this week. What a neat plant! I was not expecting them, as I had thought I'd planted alliums. These were a nice surprise tho. They are the brightest thing in the garden this week.




And here's a shot of another frittilaria - this one is the checkered lily.


I see a few more SDB's getting ready to bloom. Iris season is under way!