Iris reticulata 'J.S. Dijt'
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Two days earlier, 'J.S. Dijt' was an unremarkable, purple-tipped green stem. Yesterday afternoon, I arrived home from work in time for the grand opening:
From a certain angle, the flower's structure, symmetry and grace reminded me of an origami crane. Do you see what I see? Or perhaps you can imagine a train, a child and a grandmother deep within its heart.
Origami bird,
Your feathers unfurled and fresh,
Please don't fly away.
I planted these bulbs in early December and never expected to be enjoying them in mid-February, ahead of the snowdrops and crocuses. Viewing this first early-bloomer for a few minutes yesterday dispelled my fretting about unfinished household chores. It was an unexpected, sorely needed respite and delight -- the garden's gifts.
This is my first season enjoying Iris reticulata in my own garden and I've just begun to study it. Here are some of the resources I've bookmarked:
- Photos: Google Plant Images
- Growing tips: Backyard Gardener, Herbs2000, Avon Bulbs
Although it is not specifically about I. reticulta, I enjoyed reading this: Spring Peepers—Little Bulbs to Trumpet a New Season. I agree -- like the littlest birds, the smallest bulbs "sing" the prettiest songs.
Reader Comments (5)
Oh, how very beautiful! And I agree with the smallest bulbs 'singing' the prettiest songs. I planted over 900 bulbs last fall, some miniatures, and am ever so anxious to see the first ones come up. And I'm so happy to look at your garden images while I continue to wait. :)
Now the inside of those petals is what I think a tiger's tongue should look like!
@cassie So nice to meet you & I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and your blog better. I'm sure I'll be using your recipes to help my menu-planning and to feed my eyes on your lovely photos. Nine hundred bulbs! How glorious. I hope you post some photos. My bulbs are almost coming too fast for me too appreciate them. More JS Dijt are open today. I wish they would stagger their peak blooming time.
@Tess Yes! Exactly like a tiger's tongue. Hmmmm. I bet that could be worked into a haiku.
Hi Elaine
This is a beauty! What incredible colour. How long did the flower last? I know exactly what you mean when you reference arriving home from work in time for the opening - one of the special pleasures of gardening on a balcony is the intimate reveal.
My trough iris have yet to break through the soil, but if you are enjoying flowers on the coast, mine must be getting ready to sprout. If nothing else, Spring fever is in full force on the prairies.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Yes, you have expressed the gardener's emotions so well. I think joys are sweeter when the space is small, the effort is great, and the blossoms are few and precious.
I look forward to seeing your own irises on your blog. A trough sounds like a perfect container for them.
I'm really feeling the Spring fever on the gardening blogs as well as Twitter. It's wonderful. I have the sense 2009 is going to be a glorious gardening year. So much interest and enthusiasm.