April is the month of the bearded iris here in North Carolina.
I have one old type from my daddy’s mother’s garden.
I moved many iris onto this bank last summer. They have never been happier.
The rest of my iris are hybrids.
They came from Cooley’s in Oregon over twenty years ago.
This is just the first wave of iris. There will be more in the coming weeks.
The next parade will be the peonies. Here is the first bloom.
Ahhhhh spring at last!
FLOWER
I gave my daddy a plane ride for Christmas. He didn’t get airborne until this Saturday.
He went up in a little plane from a small airport near our home.
It was not a Piper Cub like he and his dad had in the 1950’s. No matter.
Daddy was the unofficial co-pilot.
My two adult children got to go along. Lucky ducks!
I felt like I was lifting off with them as I watched them take off. What a thrill!
I knew my daddy was being transported back to his teenage years.
My daddy and my children were up there in the sky making a memory.
The pilot knew this was no ordinary thrill ride. This was a trip back in time.
FLOWER
This little bloomer is from the forests of Mexico and South America.
It needs porous soil and indirect light.
The simple, pink, tubular flowers open during the day and close at dusk.
The buds just began to open this week, though they have been fully formed for weeks.
Its name is Rhipsalidopsis. Its leaf sections look similar to Schlumbergera except there are no points.
FLOWER
I love tiny plants. They are perfect for planting in troughs and my fairy garden.
Here are two of my favorites.
Ledebouria cooperi ‘Jessop’ has tiny bulbs.
The leaves have copper stripes. Its blooms are a lovely lavender. Its buds look like grape clusters.
The other little lovely is a Delosperma/Ice Plant named ‘Fire Spinner.’
It is just starting to bloom. Soon this patch will be glowing in the sun.
It really does look like it is on fire.
Both of these plants are easy to grow. I have planted them in numerous places in my gardens. They like sun and well-drained soil. All are growing happily.
FLOWER
You go on to that meeting,
I’ll stay here with the baby.
You go ahead on to work,
I’ll stay here with the children.
You go ahead on to the Y,
I’ll stay here with the laundry.
You go ahead on to that race,
I’ll stay here with the sick one.
You go ahead on to church,
I’ll stay here with these dishes.
You go ahead on with what you’re doing,
I’ll stay here with the weeds.
You go ahead on on that trip,
I’ll stay here with the dogs.
You go ahead on and on and on,
I may be here, but I’m all ready gone.
If you have a good variety of flowers in your gardens,
you know when the various types are stepping it up in the bloom parade.
Here in North Carolina the daffodils have had their days. The tulips have gotten enough attention now.
The new feature flower group is the Columbine.
I have had the usual purple and pink for decades.
It seems the pinks are more numerous this spring.
I have two relatively new types, besides that darling tiny red ‘Little Lanterns’ from a previous post.
These two have a different form of flower, both are double and the blooms seem to look up rather than nod.
‘Winky Double Red’ reminds me of a granny’s bonnet even more than the old cultivars.
I love the deep mauve color surrounding the butter yellow.
The buds are very dark and tight.
‘Nora Barlow’ is has spiky pink blooms with a hint of yellow.
This hybrid is a bit taller than the old types. Here is one beside an old pink for comparison.
I have not saved seed from these, so I don’t know if they will be true next generation.
Nora Barlow does have one progeny beside the original.
They are a nice addition to my collection.
Next come the iris.
FLOWER
On the other side of this storm, there will be sun.
You be that here.
On the other side of this sadness, there will be joy.
You be that here.
On the other side of this chaos, there will be calm.
You be that here.
On the other side of this hunger, there will be plenty.
You be that here.
On the other side of this hate, there will be love.
You be that here.
On the other side of this world, we will be one.
You will be there.
The replacement bulb for Amaryllis Exotica has bloomed.
It has the expected color and striations.
The apricot color definitely has a red shimmer in it.
I feel sorry for the original bulb, which will now be stuck with the name,
BLOOMED INCORRECTLY, from now on.
They are both lovely. Both will be cared for, nurtured and loved.
Though only one has a pedigree.
FLOWER (Plant Mama)
floweralley 