The Irises Have It

This small and lightly fragranced flower really has me ooohing and aaahhing the past few weeks.

Neomarica caerulea ‘Regina’ Giant Apostle's Iris is happy in the shifting light of the oak tree canopy and doesn't require the extra water so many irises seek.

The substantially erect green leaves are pretty giant as her name suggests, but each little burst of blue flowering glory is only a couple of inches at her broadest span.

Even so, she certainly packs a lot of punch into her tiny size.

So many dimensions and interest in every layer of outrageous brightness.

Regina's irregular stripey markings along with mixtures of the deepest magenta-brown coupled with blues, violets, greens, yellow and white give way to her tropical, exotic appeal.

If you catch her just before the sun crests you will find her seemingly withdrawn and shy in appearance as she begins her morning.

Not really timid at all she is only beginning to reveal herself at that hour. Afterall she only has one entire day to unfold all that makes her beautiful. Once the sun goes down it's a new buds' turn to bloom.

And so it goes from spring through summer.

Close-by a pass-a-long gift from my painting teacher. A smaller (in foliage) variety of 'walking' iris is not to be outshined by Regina. Neomarica caerulea Gracilis is born on a shinier, shorter, sword-like blade in white arrangements with an equally exotic center. Also an apostle's 'walking' iris that multiplies on its own. As each flower walks its way to the ground arching over from the weight of the spent bloom and starts another plant.

The pristine white African irises have been around Hoe and Shovel for many years. They are an easy, Florida-friendly plant whose drought resistant, evergreen qualities make them a must-have on my list.

Dietes iridioides (sometimes called Fortnight lily or Morea iris) are simply one of those plants that can be used in multiple situations. Even in container pots they add height and dimension as the year round thriller.

Happy in the direct sun or partial shade their blooms appear on tall scapes in repeated flushes throughout the spring, summer, and into fall.

By far the largest Irises gracing the spring garden are the 'Sinfonietta' Louisiana Irises.

They were a little late blooming this year compared to last. They were worth the wait since so many were divided after last spring we've more to gander this go round.

Multiplying them into more and more plants is done not only for enjoying larger numbers of the vibrant blue and yellow throated blooms.

But in a bleak winter garden like this year their spiking, upright evergreen stems are a stand out in any planting bed.

My only complaint (if there is one)is blooming only for about a month in total their cheery bright flowers just don't last long enough.

So until next year, we'll look forward to these earliest of spring bloomers at a time when every ounce of color is appreciated.