I like that first random image best, I think. Those 'hills' make a nice backdrop.

I would love to just sit down in the dirt and stare at all the beauty! Oh my.

Brad -- that gorgeous orange (second to last) is just to die for!!!!!

Nice selection, Brad ! If Iowa is still "frozen", and, according to Tom, Wisconsin is, too.....I'm betting it's still too cold in Northern Illinois for me !...So, I'll stay in Alabama a few more weeks !

Might as well Arlyn -- you're already there!!!

Yep

Yes and back into the single digits later this week, stay put and enjoy the fishing!

And share some ocean/beach photos, Arlyn. sigh.......

I love those field shots! I'm going to sit down next to Tom and open a bottle of wine.

It's going to be in the 70's all week here. So the rest of you stay safe and stay warm.

Hope you share!

The wine or the warmth Tom? Or hopefully both?

I did a bit of weeding today, between showers.

They come up better if the soil is wet. I watered yesterday so did some weeding today.

I got a real treat after visiting Superstition about a 40 minute drive from there garden is Mariposa Iris the home of Doug Kanarowski and it was awesome.We really enjoyed the drive and view of all the Pine tree's & Conifers. Doug described his view as having Yosemite National Park in his backyard and he was right it was perfect and had a very Home like feel to it. Doug is a very friendly guy who is as passionate as any of us about our plants if your in the area his garden is a recommended stop during bloom season



Here are some of Doug's Intro's from the past few years his motto is to only introduce plants he feels are 20% different and better than anything else on the market and he has some Beauties with real unique names. I especially liked the fact he only sells his own plants it shows me he enjoys what he does and is not just trying to make a quick buck too few good grower's like him out there but for those that are local he holds a sale for charity of plants in his collection. He was about a week from peak when we visited so a lot of plants had not opened yet but here are some pictures.
Dancing Blue Koi


Royal Jammies



Sings With Frogs & Lemon Lunar Landing


Spooktacular & I I Stutter


Life Behind Bars & Chocolate Soup


Fairy Frostbite



Another bonus getting to look at seedlings he had some nice ones very unique colors and patterns I will be watching to see what gets a name this year.




Some pictures from Doug's collection that were just starting to come on when we were there.
Center Ice & Foolish Dreamer


I Must Have It & Lass With Class


Rentry & Haunted Heart


Sweet Geisha & Mayan Mysteries


Pacifica's wish I could grow these in Iowa

Mary Ann.. It won the Dyke's it's (Golden Panther) and looked awesome in it's home garden.

Arlyn with Tom stay by the Ocean for another month there is still plenty of winter left here and I am not liking my change of Scenery definitely missing the sunset's and ocean waves

For those of you within traveling distance Doug is the other hybridizer I'm hoping we can visit this spring...along with Superstition. Superstition is about 45 minutes from my house...and Mariposa Iris is about another 30 minutes from there. The catch will be whether the bloom times match close enough to make it worth visiting both gardens the same day. Mariposa Iris is at a higher altitude so their bloom is later. When it gets closer and we can pin down bloom times I'll post an invite for anyone who wants to meet at my home and carpool from there.

To those of you who are too far away I promise to take lots of pictures to post!!!

Thank you for sharing more amazing photos Brad!

I'll make sure to bring lots of water with me on that trip Marilyn.

Really like the last 3 seedlings.

Brad -- it's obvious that the man is a genius gardener!! I love the *tree house*!!! And his Irises are to die for! I love it when I fall in love with an Iris picture and then learn that it's one that I have! Golden Panther is gorgeous -- and thanks to you, I might get to see it in person this spring!

Be easier to list the ones I don't want--that's about a first for any hybridizer.