At last, there is colour in the sunny trough at the front of my home despite the fact that, although it is nearly Easter, we are still getting plenty of snow and icy temperatures. In fact, it is snowing right at this moment. I planted Iris Reticulata Harmony, which is a fabulous, bright blue and not very tall, right at the front of the trough and there is such a pretty row of them now. The tulips and hyacinths are still pushing their way through.
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| Iris Reticulata 'Harmony' |
I love the strong mustard yellow on the downward curving sepals, called 'falls'. The yellow patch is called the 'signal' which I assume is the part that signals, or attracts, insects like bees. The upright petals are called the 'standards'. The blue stripes on the falls, going through the white, are called veins.
Typically, iris like full sun and if we have any sun at all, here in my part of Yorkshire, then my trough should get it. I think also that my trough gets a certain amount of warmth radiated from the brick of the house. Many reading this will have noted how snow might settle on grass but paving flags, stones, and the like, keep clear for much longer.
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| Iris Reticulata 'Harmony' |
I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing daffodils and crocuses but as yet, nothing. It's been such a long and horrible winter and I know that many places in the northern hemisphere are complaining of unusual conditions. I have a feeling it is something that we are now going to have to get used to.
You can see the tulip petals, which look strong and healthy.
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| Iris Reticulata 'Harmony' |
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