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!

Sunshine and blooms

The pulminaria's are so bright right now. The slugs and deer ignore them so they are always putting on a good show.







Tuck catches some Z's in the late afternoon. Ahn.

Spring has sprung

Warm sunny days - finally! It was up to 70 yesterday and we were out all day in it. So nice, and I got loads of stuff done. Here's the south side of the driveway as you get to the curve. This had been full of weedy fir trees and blackberries, but our wonderful neighbors, the Pearson's, have been working to clear it out for us. We'll be replanting with different trees and shrubs once it is finished. Right now I am working on removing the weeds and making beds out along the drive. I've filled it with irises of two colors, massed, and moved the red hot poker here as well. The hummingbirds that nest in the area will enjoy that.


The cats are enjoying it as well, and all the early daffs are blooming their hearts out.






We had friends over for a bonfire in the evening and watched the sun set. It was a beautiful day. Hope yours was as well.