Snowy Miniature Iris

These ultra diminutive and lovely miniature Iris are extremely transitory bloomers (a flower may last up to three days at best) and don't seem to last long in the larger garden scheme of things either. But when they do deign to appear among the other spring bulbs, they sure manage to steal the show from the crocus, even if briefly.

We originally planted about twenty or so bulbs about six or seven years ago, and the two or three that come up in the back corner garden are the only survivors. In the other areas where we had them planted, they came up for a couple of years and then vanished, so we kind of wrote them off as short lived. So we're always pleasantly surprised when they do make an appearance! They are truly gems among the early spring bloomers ...

I'm beginning to think we should perhaps give them another chance and plant some more in the fall ... we're already dreaming of planting as many crocus as we can afford, along with two or three more Dragon Arums, as well as more snowdrops. We think we can find lots of spaces for small bulbs like these (in the yard and parking), whereas honestly, we probably won't have the oomph or ambition to undertake another couple hundred tulips and daffodils like we did in 2005! That was a huge undertaking of planting some 200 tulips, 200 daffodils, 100 Spanish Squill, 50 Muscari and numerous other smaller bulbs (including some crocus previously featured here). Neither of us is ready to do that again any time soon, but on the other hand we just can't get enough of these spring beauties ....

As you can see, there's snow on the ground and flower. Today started off gloomy, with occasional rain, then went downhill from there ... by early afternoon it was a cold, steady rain that eventually progressed into full on snow showers in earnest, accumulating quickly on the yard and garden, but sparing the streets and sidewalks. (We'd love to put that snow shovel away!) Hello, weather! Take the hint from the flowers and get this Spring rolling along ....

Photos taken 3 April, 2008 by Fernymoss, using the new Fuji S700. This photo was reduced by about half from its original size to make it manageable for posting ...