3 Irises blooming, and more planting...

I found 3 Iries blooming yesterday and was forced to take pics with my darn cell phone, which is a peice of crap...sorry for my french...but at least they turned out well enough to see a little bit. I did not have my camera with me, and it was irritating. Anyway, aren't they such little beauties??? I just love these simple ones that seem to do fairly well in shade here. I still don't think I would take a chance on them in my yard cause there basically isn't any shade, except where I rarely go...under the Sapodilla tree. I was thrilled to have found them though!

Today I planted Sweet Basil seeds, and Milkweed seeds. I will post some pics when I start to see any action!!!

Stress

Thanks for all your comments on my new garden area. It was a really good day...a fun day...very enjoyable. This evening turned a litle stressful for me...pressure being put on me that I don't feel ready to accept. It makes for stress and strain...quite the opposite of how my day had been, when I was alone, relaxed and free. I went outside this evening by myself, to look at the stars and feel the cool breeze. Funny how life is always changing. I came in, sat down and just started to draw...I came up with this idea of a blue Iris plant, and thought of how you must be flexible throughout life, so as not to snap. I wrote the little poem to go with it:
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Blow in the breeze
Do not snap...
You're better than that...
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Update on the Schreiners Iris Catalog I had ordered.....they sent me a card that said Irises do not do well in my area, and they would not send a catalog due to that fact, unless I was buying the plants to use in another state! Isn't that so nice that they kept me from trying something that would not have worked out? I love them for it, and wanted to tell everyone how reputable they are! Thanks Schreiners...I sincerely appreciate your honesty and integrity!!!

Bummer, and Beauties!

I took my Mom over to see the iris blooms, and guess what we saw? Absolutely nothing! The blooms had dried up, and practically fallen off the plant! The gardener there said that the blooms were open ONE (1) day! She has 4 other types of Iris there, and said none of the others had bloomed yet this spring! I was more than bummed. I think this one thing just soured me on Irises!!!!! Sadly. I will keep watching the others and see what happens with them before I totally discount them! Blooms that last just one day would not be for me...unless I see a lot more action going on.....

I took a picture of this stunning rose for my blogger friend, Bobbie Lynn, who loves all roses! This one looks like it is made of velvet. I did absolutely no funny business to this rose with any photo editing software...it really looked just like this...color and all. Isn't it just so amazing???

Speaking of roses...how about this little Baby Sun Rose bloom of Aptenia cordifolia! Note the area of all white growth coming out of this variagated succulent too! This is an awesome plant, and I am about the grab me a little peice to see if I can have better luck keeping it alive after my first sorry attempt a few years ago! It seems to be so happy in the ground (mine had been in a pot). I was so enthralled with this area of white growth, I nearly missed the cute little button puff ball bloom in bright pink. Only one so far...but hopefully soon it will be covered!!!

My eyes have been opened to a new possibility!!

This is incredible! In my last post I asked what this particular plant was...and it turned out to be an Iris. Well, of course, I had HEARD of Iris before, but had I ever SEEN one before??? Probably in the recesses of my brain, I must have seen one...but wow...I am blown away that #1...I found one growing in south Florida, and #2...now that I have researched them a bit, I find that most are hardy to zone 10 (which is my zone). I should add #3...that I am so surprised I do not see more of these around here. They grow in partial to full sun, and like a well draining soil. Hmmm...sounds like the sand we live with here, could be pretty conducive to Iris growth!

BLACK DRAGON
Now I am on a mission to find me some plants! I normally am not attracted to to many flower blooms, and never have appreciated orchids, but there is something about these flower that I like. I have even found a few varieties that bloom in both spring and fall, which would be double the fun!!!

DRACULAS KISS
I am particularly attracted to the idea of having some of the ones with black blooms (I may need to order online). Nice for a dark garden. I believe some of you may have a garden with all black or near-black blooms. There are many to choose from in black.

MIDNIGHT OIL
A huge resource, is Schreiners Gardens...and I have a few pics of some of the dark iris' they have for sale! I ordered their free catalog! I am so excited about these gorgeous plants! Enjoy the photos, and note the really awesome names!!!

What is this ???

I came upon this bush today...with lily-like long slender leaves, and these gorgeous blue/purple orchid-like blooms!!! Anyone know what it is??? WOW!
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UPDATE: My blogger pal, Aerelonian has found it...called Neomarica northiana, or Walking Iris, which is a tropical variety!!! How cool is this? Perfect for south Florida! Thanks everyone for your inputs into what this gorgeous plant is!!!
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