So, this was a surprise. I'm not sure if it's actually an Old Black Magic iris, but that's the closest I could find when I searched images on line. The petals are more black than burgundy when not photographed in full sun. This iris is one of the dozens that I dug up right after I bought the house a couple of years ago, as they were right smack in the way of foundation work being done. Below: The mystery bunch of irises (and daylilies) I inherited with the house, in their original spot.
I have yet to figure out the secret of getting irises to bloom: am I using too much bone meal? too little? are they planted too deep? Exhibit A: these were planted last spring, got a bit of bone meal in the fall, have beautiful strappy foliage, and no sign of a bud anywhere.
But each rare time an iris does bloom, I think: "Oh, so that's the color I planted there." This time, the reveal was delightful, especially next to the pale orange flowers of the Indian mallow.
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3 comments:
Your iris certainly is a beauty. I hope one day you will have enough to share. I always have loads of the purple on in case you would like some. Maybe the ones you have are later bloomers. My peach is a very early bloomer. December, but I have a yellow one that blooms in the summer. I never feed mine, keep their rhizomes above the soil. They seem to enjoy neglect which suits me.
The Indian Mallow and Iris look wonderful together! I've yet to plant bulbs, by the time I think I might like to the window has shut and it is too late.
Lancashire Rose: Ooh, I would love to have some purple iris, although I suppose I should map things out first: hazards of a smaller yard. I'm glad to hear that iris like neglect because I can do that! :) Fingers crossed that my other iris are late bloomers.
RN: Still getting the bulb timing down myself; some of these were dug up in spring, roughly divided, dumped in a pot with some dirt, and not planted in the landscape for a year...the good thing for those of us new to bulbs: iris are survivors!
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