Actually, the bloom window for us is very brief. They only last 3 or 4 weeks. Peak bloom is only about 2 weeks. It might be a little longer this year because it has been overcast most of the time. We had a few days of sun and the foliage started to dry out. I think they are very ephemeral.
Every year will bring new surprises, that's pretty cool. I have rudbeckias that do that. My attempts to bloom sparaxis have all failed (like forcing star flowers above).
Your's sure strut their stuff, very distinctive.
I finally have blooms starting on Narcissus Geranium. They began yesterday late. I didn't even get a photos because the first bloom wasn't even fully open by evening. Today it is raining. Soon......
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
Name: Evan Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA (Zone 6a)
Reticulated Iris (Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin') is looking pretty lonely right now and earlier than usual. The only other blooms I have right now are some snowdrops. What little guys bloom at the same time as KH for you?
Maybe G. elwesii
'Sheila Ann Germaney' From the same cross as 'Katharine Hodgkin' above. More intensely blue and is perhaps a bit more visible in the garden because of its stronger color.
'Blue Note' A rather striking 'face' on this little iris hybridized by Alan McMurtrie(Canada). I hope this one won't be so prone to breaking up into many small non-blooming bulbs as some of the other reticulata irises. Will be interesting to inspect the bulbs the coming summer. 'Katharine Hodgkin' of course is superb in that regard, always producing big bulbs.
Sheila Ann Germaney is gorgeous but Blue Note really takes the cake. I hope it gives you big bulbs. It would be lovely to see bunches of them.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
eclayne said:http:// What little guys bloom at the same time as KH for you?
Besides the snowdrops...which I only have a couple of sad looking ones...
my reticulated iris generally pop up about about with the crocus...sometimes a little before the earliest, but usually with the early crocus, and sometimes with the later dutch crocuses.
there's some in the background, and you can see crocus shape here and with the photobombing gato
We are having a 'normal' season this year--it is trying to be spring and today it is snowing
Here is Katherine Hodgkin--yesterday
really increases well--I just stuck a few bulbs in there to try out on a whim, once
I wish they all did that!
more "blooming at the same time" stuff
this is the otherside of the streetcorner garden (sorry about the street) and elsewhere
more reticulated iris and crocies, the chrysanthus are pretty much done in the warmer areas, and ...
special crocus
Great images of your lovely garden, Dirt. Really like the way you combine bulbs and perennials
The way you used the cat for a backdrop is excellent and gives the image great visual impact!
Glorious spring show Dirt! And your photos are wonderful! You've reminded me I must get some red Kaufmaniana tulips- yours are stunning! That's about the earliest blooming red flower there is for temperate zones. Yours look like they've increased, how long have you had them growing there?
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
