Iris reticulata 'J.S. Dijt'

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.

February sunset

Soon I will be focused on earthy matters like seed-starting mix and compost, but tonight, I will look at the sky.

Then too there is this

by J. ALLYN ROSSER

joy in the day's being done, however
clumsily, and in the ticked-off lists,
the packages nestling together,
no one home waiting for dinner, for
you, no one impatient for your touch
or kind words to salve what nightly
rises like heartburn, the ghost-lump feeling
that one is really as alone as one had feared.
One isn't, not really. Not really. Joy
to see over the strip mall darkening
right on schedule a neon-proof pink
sunset flaring like the roof of a cat's mouth,
cleanly ribbed, the clouds laddering up
and lit as if by a match struck somewhere
in the throat much deeper down.

Source: Poetry Foundation

Pink Snow...& Graham for February

Image:  February 2009 from the Snow & Graham calendar on my office wall --  it substitutes for a window overlooking the garden and reminds me pink blossoms are not too far in the future. Spring arrives in....just 43 days.