Flowers in 2012, by Ducks4YOU

[ducks4you]

I had to cut and enjoy these.

I really need to divide these more. I put it both black iris and purple-striped iris about 10 years ago. I've only divided them once--this year would be a good one to move some more. But, they're so well-established, I thought that it couldn't hurt to enjoy one stem inside.

 

[nachoqtpie]

So pretty!!! Yet another reason I want to rip out my boring old hedges in the front of the house!

How often do they bloom?? Just once? Do they have them that bloom multiple times?

I've got a lot to learn about flowers...

 

[Jared77]

Im glad I was sitting down when I saw your pic Ducks those are STUNNING!!!!!!!

 

[momofdrew]

Ducks!!!! I love the color...beautious!!!!

n qt pie There are early mid and late bloomers and many colors...

 

[ducks4you]

I'll tell, iris are SOOOOOO easy. My problem is that I REALLY need to thin them out. I moved several corms 2 years ago and they are blooming, too.
Here is the super-pot bound hydrangea that my SIL gave me a couple of weeks ago.

I wanted to add that, in my study I've discovered that you can make your peace with the weeds. As long as you don't let them go to seed, you can take your time disposing of them, and the BEST way to do that (with the ones that DON'T spread underground, like bindweed) is to dig them out and bury them to compost your other plants. I have several 60' rolls of weed-cloth that I will be using to cover the dirt after I de-weed the beds on the east and south side of my house. THIS is where the hydrangea was planted, and the rocks go about 4 inches deep. I'll be starting on them this weekend. Since the ONLY plants that might go in, in 2013, will be in FRONT of the arbor vitae (WOW, I'm really learning my plants, ROFL!!), I'll be using a herbicide that prevents growth for up to one year, along the foundation of the house, which is, of course the Hardest place to pull up weeds. Still, I'm being judicious with it.
The spreading weeds go out to my burn pile, to dry out in the middle of 3 acres. That will be burned next after our first good rain. Too dry right now.

 

[lesa]

The color on those iris, is absolutely gorgeous! I don't think I have seen a prettier one!

 

[Kassaundra]

That purple is almost black, very nice!

 

[ducks4you]

Glad you noticed! When I bought them they were called "Black Iris." I couldn't resist.

 

[ducks4you]

It looks like the BEST thing I've done for my clematis is to plant a blackberry bush next to it. It has just taken off this year, growing onto the blackberry "vines". Here are few shots of that and the happy pink mini-rose just below the blackberry.

 

[momofdrew]

I love the clematis... I have one but it isnt ready to bloom here...