Hi: My name is Elsa and I hope I don't hold the lurking record for this forum, as I have been enjoying and learning from your posts for at least 3 years. But I just can't stay away any more. There are too many interesting conversations going on here. And I hope at some point, maybe I will have something to give instead of just taking all the time
As a young girl, I loved the Irises my mom would grow. They were so Majestic! Growing up in the same house, I remember marveling at the detail that God put in our world, as I gazed at my Mother's garden. The business of life made me forget about Irises till I moved into a short sale house that had sat vacant for at least 5 months through the hottest months of the year. Moving in, in the Fall, there were some very withered Iris clumps trying to survive. So I watered. And in the Spring, from these once withered old plants, I was rewarded with multiple blooms. Now considering I live in a desert where we have approx. 15 or 20 days a year of 100+ temps, the fact that these plants were still fighting to live and put out blooms like that just stirred something deep inside of me and I didn't know it yet, but the bug was born.
So you all know the bug well...I bought a few more the next year and I started finding detail in this flower I never knew existed. That second year of blooms, I found that some sparkled in the sun (Diamond dusting). I had never seen that in any flower and did not even know there was such as thing. Sadly I was also just learning to grow Iris and I didn't get to see that one bloom again cause I think I killed it:) But it's OK cause I have found the same effect on many others since then.
So the next year I bought even more and started finding that some had broken color. I remember both my son and I just gawking at Alpha-Gnu the first time we saw it. Then I also heard that Green Irises existed (thus my name) and started my hunt for a Green Iris and Yes, I found them (Green and Gifted, Sue Zee, Teagan) and the Love grew stronger. I also found Black ones( Before the Storm, Coal Seams) which had their own "Is this for real" moments. I also got it in my head that there were not true Blue and true Pink Irises, from things I read. OK I know I know - You all in the forum said they existed but I thought you might be suffering from "Wishful Thinking" or "Group Denial". But then I saw my first true Blue Absolute Treasure bloom. And I also saw my first true Pink Bachelor Party bloom. I have found many others since then and in summary have found the Rainbow.
But it doesn't end there, I found dotted iris, laced iris, iris with lines, textured iris (Daughter of Stars), curly iris. Irises that bloom 1/2 the months of the year. Oh and if that weren't enough, I found Irises with confetti. That was another trait I thought was photo-shopped but then one April day, there it was, as real as in the internet photos. I may not know all the correct names for all the traits, and I am here to learn but I am also here because I adore your passion for this flower and I get it.
I crossed my first Iris last year (Clarence X Ecstatic Echo). Out of approx. 20 seeds, I had one come up this Spring. I think I have a few things to learn there too:) I crossed my second this year. It's so fun.
Finally, Just like to say "Nice to finally meet you all" and especially Thanks for all the tips and wisdom you have unknowingly imparted to me that has really enriched my Iris garden. Also Thank you much for the pictures you have shared as well that have helped me make great choices for the next years garden!
