Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Schreiner's Iris Garden

Schreiners Header copy
This past weekend I wasn't quite in the mood to actually tackle any of the projects around the house or garden...and was looking for an excuse to get out of town...and if I could make it plant-related, so much the better, right? As luck would have it, I somehow remembered that Schreiner's Iris Garden was having their open garden events right now. I somehow tricked Norm into going along for the ride ;-)

WIne
OMG...first off, I should probably apologize for the ridiculous, over-the-top, unbridled gushing of this post. I know it's long and sort of out-of-control...but I can't help it! To be honest, although I like Iris enough (loved them in my younger year), I haven't given them much though over the past few years...until recently. I think since I inherited so many when we bought this house, they were the last thing I wanted to add more of!

Dark Iris
This spring, however, I really enjoyed the show that the few remaining Iris gave...and it sort of reminded me of how much I really like them. Also, my dad is a HUGE Iris fan/collector...so I figured that if nothing else, I could find a few new Iris to send him for his Birthday in July.

Wide View 1
FLORAL OVERLOAD!!!!
Leave all skepticism at the door when you go to Schreiners...it's an all-out extravaganza of bloom...an orgiastic celebration of color! I have to admit, I was only expecting something akin to the Woodburn Tulip Festival...where it's just fields of flowers. Oh no...these are display gardens...and they are overwhelming. I honestly just kind of stared at first...not even sure where to point the camera.

red purple h
Of course, in the end, I ended up just taking as many photos as I could...and trust me...there are A LOT. The weather on the day we went kept changing, one moment bright and sunny, the next slightly overcast...so there's quite a bit of variation in the photos...I kept trying to wait for the clouds cover to reappear...but in the end, just decided to shoot and hope for the best.

Dark Iris and AlliumsIMG_6697
Whoever designed the gardens certainly has a knack for colorful combinations...and the play of different forms and shapes was quite good as well.

Copper Iris
I've seen a lot of different Iris varieties in my life, but even I was amazed at some of the different forms/colors on display...like these coppery-red ones.

Dark Purple Iris Border
Of course, as many of these photos prove, my favorites are still the deep purple ones...so beautiful!

Dark Purple Iris with Orange Beard
This was one of my faves...the deep, rich purple with the contrasting orange beards...so striking.

Lavender iris
I love the vibrant lavender-purple of these...especially in such flattering light.

Luscious Lupine Light
Almost as numerous as the Iris were the varieties of Lupine...one of my absolute favorite spring blooms. I've never seen them as big as they were here...it was pretty humbling. Then again, I think I have some of the shorter hybrids...I need to find some room for one or two of these big bruisers!

Lavender and Yellow Bicolor
Some of the bicolors are surprisingly beautiful. I remember seeing this one as a single stem earlier, and not being impressed. Seeing a clump of them out in the garden, however, they proved to be quite striking.

deep purple and lupine 1
Another reddish-purple Iris...just love these, especially backlit, with the petals glowing.

deep blue delphinium
While most of the plants were in the height of bloom, the delphiniums were just getting started, adding their cooler blues to the palette.

Ominous Stranger
While I have to admit, I didn't catch the names of most of these Iris, I managed to take a photo of the tag on this one so I'd remember it later. I has the distinct trait of having buds that contrast with the actual petals...which I found quite striking.

Allium buds
You know I love me some Alliums...and there were THOUSANDS blooming...here are some of the buds, just prior to opening.

Pink Iris 2
I hardly need more pink in my garden...but this one is pretty tempting...so fresh-looking.

Gold Iris
Even though I'm more drawn to colors on the cooler side of the palette, these rich golden ones were pretty breath-taking.

Lupine patch
More glorius Lupines!

Allium bokeh
And more Alliums...sigh.

Orange PoppyPeach and Burgundy Bicolor v
It wasn't until I noticed these Poppies that I realized there weren't very many of them around the garden...which is too bad as I do love those huge, papery blooms (and the buds). While I tend to prefer the single-color Iris a bit more than the bicolors, I found this one on the right to be extremely fetching...there's something very dramatic about that particular combination of colors...and the picotee edges makes it just that much better.

Pink Lupine with bee
Backlit Lupines...the bees love them as much as i do.

Iris pandemonium
Oh my...so much to love.

Purple and Yellow LupineRed Lupine
The Lupine on the left was decidedly different than most of the others I had spotted...and I think may be one I have seen for sale at several nurseries lately, called 'Manhattan Lights'...I love that rich red-purple coloring with the contrasting yellow...so beautiful!

Lupine Wand
The simple beauty of a single Lupine stem.

Peach and Wine Bicolor v
Another striking bicolor...love the combo of shell-pink and mulberry-purple.

Long Iris Border
OMG...amazing!

Peach and Wine Bicolor vvPeachy Iris and Allium V
Just a few more shots highlighting the masterful use of contrasting and complimentary form/color.

PInk Iris
I just love the simple charm of this single-color peach Iris.

Poppies
This was a huge table of Poppies for sale near the gift shop.

Poppy spot
Bright red Poppies (probably 'Beauty of Livermere') give a splash of warm color in a sea of cool.

Tall Allium and Iris BedTom Johnson
Too much beauty!

White and Yellow Bicolor
Another shot of yellow in this bicolor Iris lights up a dark corner of the border.

Wide Allium and Iris Bed
The only real downside to all this spring bounty is that once everything is done blooming in a month or so, there probably isn't much left to see...

Wide View
...but again, this is a display garden...and really meant to show off their specialty to it's best...so let's just enjoy it for what it is!

Wide View 3
After all, how often do you get to waft, waist-deep in sheer floral splendour! If you get a chance, and are in the Portland area, head down to the Schreiner Iris Garden...you won't be disappointed!

Sea of Blooms
Oh...even though I had no plans of buying any for myself...I did end up buying a few Iris in the end...I'll let you know what they are when I get the shipment in July ;-)


79 comments:

  1. What an absolute RIOT of intensity and exuberance. You can't have a bad color combination with all that wild mix of hues going on so close together. The massed effects of frilly iris, spiky lupines and big balls of onions is just amazing. You got great pictures --- I'm kind of surprised your camera didn't explode. Just beautiful.

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    1. Hahahahaha...I know...if ever a camera felt overworked, it was that day! I agree...everything just happens to work perfectly together :-)

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  2. Wow! What a feast of beauty! I love lupines too, but mine attract aphids something awful. Theirs just look so lovely and pristine. Iris, lupine and allium, what an amazing combo!

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    1. Sadly, my Lupines are usually plagued by aphids as well...I'm never sure why just a few doors away, theirs are pristine...while mine practically crawl with the little beasts.

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  3. As usual , your photos are spectacular. I can almost imagine being there---so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!!
    :)

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  4. Wow! I don't know if I can get any other thoughts out. Outstanding displays and what fun to have been able to go through there in person. Thanks for the great tour.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. It was super visiting there...and the photos barely come close to how amazing it really is in person!

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  5. WOW. What a gorgeous garden! This is making me sad all over again that I didn't order one of those Thomas Church lupines that Annie showed us in her HPSO talk.

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    1. OMG...you and me both, Heather! I still wander around the garden, trying to figure out where I can squeeze one of those puppies in!

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  6. I love Schreiners. A few years back I was traveling a lot to Salem from Portland and back for work meetings, and towards the end of the season, they had buckets of cut iris' for sale for $5 a bucket on a Monday after a weekend event. I filled the trunk of my car with these decadent irises and felt like the richest woman in the world. I understand the awe Scott!

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    1. OMG...I bet you did! I actually kicked myself for not getting a few of the cut-flower Iris...but we weren't going straight home and I figured they'd wilt. Next time, LeLo, next time ;-)

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  7. OMG Scott! Hey I would be gushing too. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. I have bought several irises from them. To see those gardens and all of that color. Wow.I would love to visit them. I have terrible luck with lupines but after seeing them in your pictures I just have to keep trying to grow some. LOL!Thanks for sharing all this color.

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    1. I'm kind of the same with Lupines...I see them and just want them all over, but they really don't do the best for me. they look amazing all spring, and the minute our summer heat hits, they look awful :-(

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  8. Beautiful! I remember ordering from them when I first started gardening. I don't have enough sun for iris now except for a few. And, sadly, our climate is too hot to grow lupines.

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    1. Oh no! Actually, I have to be really smart about where I plant mine as well...so little sun for me too...I keep just shoe-horning more an more in...I guess I have to start giving away other things now :-(

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  9. Now THAT is a ridiculously impressive garden. The bloom time for bearded Iris is a bit too short for my taste considering the amount of room their foliage takes up but I do appreciate them in other peoples gardens. And all those Lupins and Alliums! Amazing. Though I wonder what it will look like in a month or two.

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    1. Hahahahaha...I know! I feel that way about Iris too...so I only have a few here and there, because I love them so much...but yes, I imagine this garden looks pretty sad after July.

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  10. Just amazing, I am also getting more interested in Iris since seeing how hardy and drought tolerant they are.

    Your photos are beautiful as always.

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    1. Thanks, Shirley! They are super-tough...which i always kind of forget. I actually had some I dug up last spring that sat in a black plastic garbage bag for an entire year. When I discovered them this spring, I thought for sure they would be dead...but they were growing as if nothing had happened!

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  11. What an amazing site at this time of year. Love the copper coloured ones.

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    1. Spring really is grand, isn't it...and yes...the coppery ones are pretty impressive!

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  12. Hi Scott,

    Lovely photos and look at all those Lupins (I know I ought to be looking at the Irises, but what can I say? Lupins are one of my favourite).

    No Irises here yet... Not sure if they'll bloom at all at this rate! Barely any leaves on mine never mind buds!

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    1. I know how you feel...Lupines are one of those things I love too...even if they aren't the easiest for me to grow!

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  13. Wow! I can only dream of growing lupine, allium and iris like that.

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    1. I know...and somehow they make it looks so easy!

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  14. My god! I wanna be there!! so much colour!!

    kiss

    Carola

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  15. Wow... I'm speechless. Every year, when the irises are in bloom, they become my favourite. You've got me primed and ready now, just before they start blooming here. Thanks.

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    1. I totally agree...even if they aren't much to look at the rest of the year, they certainly earn their keep for those few weeks of sheer bliss :-)

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  16. Talk about overload! Nice photos or I should say captures. I become a fan of iris this spring as my neighbor gave me some. Some the fine detail in the bloom. I have also become a fan of the foliage texture as a contrast. However I do not think a mass planting would be ideal in my small garden. Thanks for the tour, Scott.

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    1. I totally agree, Greggo...they are great for adding some color and foliage contrast amongst other plants...but a monoculture of them (like most plants) definitely wouldn't be ideal.

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  17. WOW...I've never heard of this place, but since I love the foliage of an Iris and you've showed so many beautiful flower colors I think I need to add a few to the garden, I'm especially loving the coppery red ones. So you buy now and they ship in July?

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    1. The foliage is definitely something I've grown to appreciate as well...especially seen backlit...looks like green tongues of flame! One of my fave Iris, especially for it's foliage, is 'Gerald Darby'...it's foliage (mostly when young) is deep purple...even the flowering stems are purplish-black. I love it. Yes...you can order now and they start shipping in July, but I believe you can ask for any range of dates between July and August (maybe September).

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  18. Oh WOW! What a beautiful place! I have never heard of it, but will look it up and stop by this weekend. Thanks! Great photos btw!

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  19. Yeah, I'd gush over all those flowers as well! I have a bunch of iris from Schreiner's in my garden. My favorites are the periwinkles and true blues. It would be great fun to see the display gardens and see large clumps of iris. It's hard to make large areas in my little garden for iris that bloom only a couple of weeks every year. So thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures.

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    1. How cool! I agree...the cooler colors are my faves as well :-) I'm much the same...small garden, so small patches of things...and not many that only flower for such a short time...Iris are one of the exceptions for me ;-)

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  20. I'm so aroused! It was like Giverny, but better.

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  21. What wonderful excess. Iris I can grow, lupines, not a snowball's chance in hell.

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    1. Totally...so much to love. Yes...Lupines are just so tempermental...I wish I was able to make them really happy.

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  22. BEAUTIFUL! Great photos & Thanks for So Much Eye Candy!!

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  23. The iris blooms are amazing, but those allium hovering... gotta get some more.

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    1. Oh yeah...I just love those Alliums...so amazing!

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  24. WOW! Rivals any garden that I've ever seen. Making me want to jump on a plane and go see it! The allium and lupines are phenomenal with the irises.

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    1. Aren't they amazing...such unbelievable bounty of form and color!

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  25. Gah! Stunning! I don't usually go for strictly flower gardens, and like you say, this one will be done in a month or so, but you must have captured it at peak, and your photos are amazing!

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    1. Exactly...it's a transient wonder...but a wonder, nonetheless ;-)

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  26. Holy crap! Photos like these send me right to the iris catalogues -- except I've just recently gotten rid of all bearded iris in the garden. So annoying to grow but gorgeous in photos.

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    1. I know the feeling...there are some plants I have just resigned to admiring on other people's blogs and in magazines ;-)

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  27. Yowza...this blows away anything I've seen flower garden-wise. And my area grows incredible irises, but not used well like this. I agree this is temporal, but may deserve a few more looks in other seasons, to see what it looks like and how it works, then. Puhleeze?

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    1. Totally agreed...there will always be a place for gardens like this...they are such an indulgence...and so inspirational. I'm not sure if they are open to the public except for their official "Open Days", but perhaps I could persuade them to let me take a peek in the off-season ;-)

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  28. I think a garden like this is nice to visit when you've got a summer garden,like I have and I think you have too, right? Thank you for the captivating photos!

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    1. Exactly, Grace! Yes...my garden is more of a summer/fall garden, for sure...so it's nice to really visit other gardens that are at their best in the spring...and it certainly was gorgeous!

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  29. This is an amazing and gorgeous post. The very LAST place I would ever think to visit is now a MUST. I'm not an iris grower. Never have been. Never expected to be, although I can admire a pretty one. Now, thanks to this post I HAVE to have some of those amazing copper irises along with some of the warm gold ones.

    Please tell me they do mail order.

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    1. Oh yes, Jane...Mail Order is their preferred method, I believe. Just visit their website..they have HUNDREDS of Iris for sale...although it's very overwhelming to comb through so many to find the ones you want. The copper ones are wonderful, aren't they...they'd look smashing with your Ceonothus in the background, don't you think ;-)

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  30. Scott, first of all I'd like to learn from you how to 'somehow trick someones in doing something' because I really need fresh ideas about that...
    What about the garden? Well the first thing I thought was that it looked more like a bruschetta than a garden, with all that garlic on top! I think a garden like that would give me a terrible headache at the end but it's beautiful to visit and see all those different kind of irises in flower! And drifts of alliums... that is something I want in my garden too!

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    1. Hahahahaha...oh, Alberto, I can't give out those secrets! You are so right...it really is completely overwhelming...a joy, to be sure, but very overwhelming...I was constantly just stopping to stare...there is SO much to take in. I dream of having drifts of Allium like that...especially the ones that were almost as tall as me!

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  31. Hi fellow purple garden lover :) - I looooove looooove those purple/black Iris flowers - holy cow I need some! I planted (am planting) more purple this weekend - can't stop myself!
    Have a great weekend! As always, love your pictures!

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    1. Yay for the purple-lovers! Of course, I love them too...that's why I got two different kinds like that ;-) I defy anyone to make me stop planting more purple (I also planted more purple this weekend...take that)!

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  32. Well, "Schreiner's in May" just went on the bucket list. An Easter basket in every photo. Amazing, thanks!

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    1. Ha! I love it...and you should definitely visit if you get a chance...it really is SPECTACULAR!

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  33. Oh man, I'm kicking myself SO hard now for missing it! I will go next year for sure. Thanks for all those gorgeous photos!!!

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    1. You should definitely go next year! Just so you know...they say that it typically peaks right around Memorial Day Weekend...I hope you make it!

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  34. Wow! Orgiastic indeed! The irises were nice enough, but oh, those lupine! I just planted some here, but won't see blooms until next spring. I planted a couple dozen allium bulbs last fall, and they were spectacular this spring--must get more. I have one small patch of irises (no idea what variety--they were a hand me down from someone doing some thinning) that are well budded, and another small patch that have no signs of flower stalks or buds at all.

    On the east coast, there is a lovely iris garden in Montclair, New Jersey--the Presby Memorial Gardens. It is quite a stunning sight in late May, as well, but I think there are only irises there.

    Thanks for sharing all of these beautiful pictures!

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    1. Thanks for visiting...glad you enjoyed the post! I agree..I would love to have many more of all of them. I wish Lupines were a little more reliable for me...I love them so much. At least the Iris and Alliums are easy...right!

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  35. OMG amazing is an understatement. lol. What Hooverboo said. :)

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  36. Amazing indeed! That garden is almost too much to handle even just through photos. Breathtaking colour fireworks.

    I've never looked at irises this way, you opened my eyes to see all the richness there is. OMG, where do I get more space...?

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    1. You are so right...it's completely over-the-top, overwhelmingly fabulous...total sensory overload!

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  37. Whoa! Gorgeous and gorgeous photos!

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  38. Holy Iris-Palooza! That was some field trip for both you and Norm and your jealous readers. Funny I don't have any bearded iris in my garden, though the Siberian and Pacific Coast varieties I have are quite nice thought less show-stopping.

    Oh and Scott, a friend just gave me a Mahonia Gracilipes, talk about a gorgeous "weeping" Mahonia. Nice, check it out: http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen/m/magrac.php

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