I’m going to write my next post about my little irises, suddenly they have all come out like little jewels. I have some which last quite well and some like Danfordiae which need to be replaced each year. But the more common ones like Harmony are as cheap as chips to buy.
Lots of bulbs need to be treated as annuals but that shouldn’t stop us planting them because as you say most are very cheap. BTW I’m following your blog but I don’t get any notification of your posts, strange!
I don’t understand why you don’t get notifications, these things are a mystery to me. Don’t forget to let me know when you are in Suffolk visiting your MIL. It would be nice if you could come here and have some lunch with me.
Thank you for sharing these snaps. Interesting to observe the bloom time of similar plants everywhere. In the Healing Garden we are pleasantly surprised to see year two with iris reticulata. From what I hear, if pleased with their habitat, they endure. Like the rest of us. We are threatened here with a typically frigid mid-February cold snap. Preceded by an early false Spring. Like the crocus, our iris reticulata are running in place. And waiting. – The Healing Garden gardener
I was not aware that some of these irises usually only flower for one year – that’s something to bear in mind. After you posted about your Anemone sylphide recently I added them to my order from Sarah Raven as they looked so beautiful – yours seem to be spreading nicely but I got the impression from my RHS book that they weren’t always hardy here in the UK
My Anemones went through last winter with no signs of ay problems at all. My soil is of course very free draining so that helps. Last year we had a week of temperatures as low as minus 10 at night.
I am happy your Anemone Sylphide returning. I adore them and have my fingers crossed to see some in my own garden this year. What great color on that iris.
Christine, one set is a mixture of blue and white.
Anemone De Caen (single-flowered): ‘Mr. Fokker’ – blue and ‘Bride’ – white.
In another spot there is Anemone St. Brigid (double-flowered): ‘Governor’ – red.
I planted all of these last spring (poor timing) and thought they had died but saw a few signs they might be ok. Meanwhile I am inspired by yours!
This patch of Sylphide was planted in 2012, those I planted this past autumn 2013 (a mix with your named varieties and some others are showing green (mostly) but are a long way off flowering yet; not sure why there is a difference.
Iris reticulata popped up unexpectedly in my woodland garden a few years ago. At least that is what I think it was. The vibrant blue caught my eye at a distance. There were maybe 30-40 of them. I thought maybe they were planted many years ago by the previous owner of our place,
and I had just never noticed them. But I haven’t seen them since! Each year I have watched for them. They were so beautiful! I had hoped to transplant them to a more visible area.
How strange that they suddenly arrived, perhaps some kind person planted them for you. They probably didn’t survive as they don’t like summer wet and you have high humidity don’t you?
Oh, I’m jealous. It’s warmed up to above freezing which means we are getting rain now that is turning some of the snow to slush. That’s a big flower for a little Iris!
In the Healing Garden, our Iris reticulata have survived three years. One clump in damper, shady soil has not returned. They seem to enjoy a dry Summer. Surviving best, the iris reticulata that were forgotten. This spot’s used as a ‘stepping stone’ for climbing down to the next terrace. We’re planting a second set of reticulata this week in an area of succulents that has poo,r very well drained, soil. This is a helpful discussion. Thank you for hosting it. – The Healing Garden gardener
Many bulbs come of Turkey or the dry Medieterranean so summer wet is the worst thing for them. Tulips repeat quite well for me in the beds where there is no summer irrigation.
I love these little Anemones and it looks as if you have lots more to come. How lovely.
Last year they flowered until May!
And Iris reticulata! They are out here too, they are very early.
Are yours in their second or first year. When I lived in the UK they usually only flowred for one year, I’m hopeful they’ll continue for longer here.
I’m going to write my next post about my little irises, suddenly they have all come out like little jewels. I have some which last quite well and some like Danfordiae which need to be replaced each year. But the more common ones like Harmony are as cheap as chips to buy.
Lots of bulbs need to be treated as annuals but that shouldn’t stop us planting them because as you say most are very cheap. BTW I’m following your blog but I don’t get any notification of your posts, strange!
I don’t understand why you don’t get notifications, these things are a mystery to me. Don’t forget to let me know when you are in Suffolk visiting your MIL. It would be nice if you could come here and have some lunch with me.
That would be lovely, thank you.
So refreshing to see the signs of spring coming along!
Isn’t it just!?
I meant to plant Iris reticulata last year and forgot. Kicking myself now.
They are a fleeting pleasure but worth it.
Thank you for sharing these snaps. Interesting to observe the bloom time of similar plants everywhere. In the Healing Garden we are pleasantly surprised to see year two with iris reticulata. From what I hear, if pleased with their habitat, they endure. Like the rest of us. We are threatened here with a typically frigid mid-February cold snap. Preceded by an early false Spring. Like the crocus, our iris reticulata are running in place. And waiting. – The Healing Garden gardener
Love the colour of those anemones Christina. Looks like spring is on the way!
Lets hope so Cathy!
I was not aware that some of these irises usually only flower for one year – that’s something to bear in mind. After you posted about your Anemone sylphide recently I added them to my order from Sarah Raven as they looked so beautiful – yours seem to be spreading nicely but I got the impression from my RHS book that they weren’t always hardy here in the UK
My Anemones went through last winter with no signs of ay problems at all. My soil is of course very free draining so that helps. Last year we had a week of temperatures as low as minus 10 at night.
Ooh – they should be OK then. Hope so – glorious colour!
I’m hoping there will be enough for a vase soon!
I am happy your Anemone Sylphide returning. I adore them and have my fingers crossed to see some in my own garden this year. What great color on that iris.
I look forward to seeing yours Susie, what colour have you planted?
Christine, one set is a mixture of blue and white.
Anemone De Caen (single-flowered): ‘Mr. Fokker’ – blue and ‘Bride’ – white.
In another spot there is Anemone St. Brigid (double-flowered): ‘Governor’ – red.
I planted all of these last spring (poor timing) and thought they had died but saw a few signs they might be ok. Meanwhile I am inspired by yours!
This patch of Sylphide was planted in 2012, those I planted this past autumn 2013 (a mix with your named varieties and some others are showing green (mostly) but are a long way off flowering yet; not sure why there is a difference.
Isn’t spring grand? The earlier the better.
At least bulbs make it seem closer, even if our worst month is yet to come.
Love seeing spring growth now…keeps me going
I’m glad, your garden helps me in summer when mine is almost a no-go area.
Iris reticulata popped up unexpectedly in my woodland garden a few years ago. At least that is what I think it was. The vibrant blue caught my eye at a distance. There were maybe 30-40 of them. I thought maybe they were planted many years ago by the previous owner of our place,
and I had just never noticed them. But I haven’t seen them since! Each year I have watched for them. They were so beautiful! I had hoped to transplant them to a more visible area.
How strange that they suddenly arrived, perhaps some kind person planted them for you. They probably didn’t survive as they don’t like summer wet and you have high humidity don’t you?
Yes, we have very high humidity in the summer, and our winters are very wet. I still wonder where my mystery bulbs came from!
Oh, I’m jealous. It’s warmed up to above freezing which means we are getting rain now that is turning some of the snow to slush. That’s a big flower for a little Iris!
Now that I’ve seen the Iris flowering for a second year I’ll plant some more this autumn.
In the Healing Garden, our Iris reticulata have survived three years. One clump in damper, shady soil has not returned. They seem to enjoy a dry Summer. Surviving best, the iris reticulata that were forgotten. This spot’s used as a ‘stepping stone’ for climbing down to the next terrace. We’re planting a second set of reticulata this week in an area of succulents that has poo,r very well drained, soil. This is a helpful discussion. Thank you for hosting it. – The Healing Garden gardener
Many bulbs come of Turkey or the dry Medieterranean so summer wet is the worst thing for them. Tulips repeat quite well for me in the beds where there is no summer irrigation.