It's that time of year once again, kids...time for my annual trip to Schreiner's Iris Garden! It's become an annual tradition for me to visit their display garden and pick out a few new Iris for myself...check out a previous post HERE. Today's post is actually my visit from last year (2013) that I never got a chance to actually put together...and I figure it's better now anyway, since you still have time to visit yourself, should you want to!
I adore Iris...I have all my life...with their beautiful form, rich colors and easy cultivation, you can't go wrong!
Yowza...talk about a riot of color!
It truly is overwhelming when you first step into the garden...it's hard to even find a spot to focus.
Such a wonderful abundance of color!
One thing I love about Schreiner's is that, although there are growing fields nearby, this is really a display garden, so you get a better feeling of how these plants will look in a garden...and with other plants.
Delish! 'Wild Irish Rose'
I'm a sucker for Iris with contrasting standards and falls.
What color!
I was really love ing this bi-color with the rich purple falls.
And this yellow one with that blush of lavender at the base of the petals.
While the Iris are the stars of the show, they amiably share the stage with many other plants in the beds...like this striking Columbine.
And these fabulous Alliums and Lupines.
I'm not overly fond of orange, but I know a lot of people are...so for all you orange lovers out there...this one is for you!
A little more to my liking...the rich purple of 'Swingtown'.
For you, Grace, 'Unchain My Heart'.
I pretty much love this one...'Social Graces'.
Seriously, that color, those ruffled edges...sigh.
I still can't decide if I like the color pairing of 'Grand Canyon Sunset'...yeah, the jury's out on this one.
Other, I loved unconditionally, like 'Sentimental Rose'...here in bud...
...just opening...
...and fully in bloom!
A similar bi-color with wider, more flared petals.
'Rio' is another odd color combo...not even sure how I'd describe it...but I kinda like it!
Time for another breather from the Iris onslaught...lovely purple Columbine!
A rich raspberry red Columbine.
More amazing Alliums!
I sort of like this Iris...but the purple may be a touch too punchy with the soft pink.
Ahhh...like a sip of cool strawberry lemonade on a hot, summer day!
Love this one...a color that plays well with everything!
Peach is that odd color that shifts so easily into other tones...this is just about perfect.
I love this one, 'Paul Black'...I adore the rich purples with orange beards.
This was one of my favorites on this particular day, 'No Other Love'...there is just something wonderful about that mix of colors.
Those luscious peach standards and those falls splashed with grapey purple.
Yup...love it!
I wish I'd gotten the name of this beauty.
Sadly, the folks at Schreiner's are needlessly cruel...they have several beds of Iris that are un-named varies, labeled only "NFS" (Not For Sale). Of course...I wanted THOSE Iris the most!
Purple amazing-ness...wanted it.
Apricot and mulberry together...yup, wanted it!
Yeah...I really wanted this one!
A similar pairing...with more reflexed falls.
A wonderful, subtle mauve.
Another beautiful with merlot-tinted petals.
Oh well...it's good to have some things you can't have, right? 'Diabolique' thinks so...and it would gladly come to live in my garden.
This was one of my favorites on this particular visit...a wonderful purple on purple beauty.
So striking in all phases of flowers...I was totally smitten.
WANT!!!
The softer-colored 'Bold Fashion' scoffs at me.
I really can never get enough purple.
For those who love a good blue, this one is for you!
'Cherry Blossom Song' is on the short list of Iris I want for my garden this year...and from the size of the clumps, it's very vigorous!
WOW...loving this one!
I totally fell in love with this one, 'Come Away With Me'. I think there's a theme here...I was really into the peach/purple combo last year!
Of course, I'm always a sucker for near-black flowers.
Especially paired with something light and delicate.
The one Iris I REALLY was obsessed with last year, however, was this new introduction, 'Absolute Star'.
It was just perfect...wonderful color, great form and size. Sadly, being a new introduction, it was $65/rhizome...yikes! I couldn't bring myself to spend that much...so I bought a few others instead...but this year it should be cheaper...and I may just take the plunge :-)
I hope you enjoyed this little tour, and if you get a chance, I hope you visit Schreiner's for yourself...it's amazing...and this is the best weekend to go!
