Tag Archives: Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Sunday Notebook

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Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)

This week I have seen 5 or 6 Eastern Tiger Butterflies—a couple passing through the garden and others along the highway into town. But I have not been able to get any pictures.

Yesterday though I had my first opportunity of 2021 to photograph a butterfly when a Pearl Crescent stopped briefly on Eastern red columbine (until I tried to take its picture). Then it fluttered around and settled down on the mulched ground beneath.  This is a small and common butterfly of North America.

The video belies just how active the butterfly was. I had switched to video because the wings had been beating so quickly I couldn’t get a good image. As soon as I started the video the crescent seemed to calm down and just totally chill.

Several kinds of irises have opened enough now to make a nice, colorful display.

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ and Iris ‘Crimson King’

Iris ‘Crimson King’

Iris ‘Crimson King’

Iris ‘Crimson King’

Nearly two dozen white Dutch Iris opened this week in a small narrow patch beside the driveway. They have been happy here for many years.

Iris × hollandica (Dutch Iris)

There is only one of this sapphire blue Dutch iris. This really is the color, just amazing.

Iris × hollandica (Dutch Iris)

Yellow pine pollen has been coating everything, the plants, flowers, porch furniture. It seems much worse than usual. A few thunderstorms helped clear the air overnight but it quickly builds back up.

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Post-vaccination, I resumed teaching my weekly gentle yoga and meditation class this morning at the wellness center. (My last in-person class was March 13, 2020.) Some classes are beginning to meet in person outdoors or with a limited number of people in the studios but mine is a virtual incarnation for now. It was great to see familiar faces and hear voices and laughter.

Have a great week everyone!

Patience

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Season upon season gardeners are given opportunities to practice patience and, like plants themselves, to seek light even from amongst shadows.

Button Chrysanthemum (pass-along)

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ (Tall bearded iris)

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ (Tall bearded iris)

 

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Frills

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In A Vase On Monday – Spring Frills

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase highlighting what is growing in our gardens.

Today’s Ikebana vase is filled with a frilly collection of early spring flowers. Inspired by fragrant Armeria pseudarmeria ‘Ballerina Lilac’ (Thrift) Matthiola incana (Stock -Giant Imperial Blend), I selected mostly companions in blues and purples. The thrift was planted late last fall along with the snapdragons. Nice to see they overwintered well.

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Frills

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Frills

And the irises are coming out to play!

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Frills

Materials
Flowers
Armeria pseudarmeria ‘Ballerina Lilac’ (Thrift) Matthiola incana (Stock -Giant Imperial Blend)
Antirrhinum majus ‘Speedy Sonnet White’ (Snapdragon)
Dianthus Ideal Select Mix
Helleborus x hybridus
Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft)
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’
Phlox stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’ or Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’ (Woodland phlox)
Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Blue’ (Emerald Blue Phlox)
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Rectangle Blue Zen (6.75L x 3.75W x 2H inches)

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Frills

The garden has been untended the past couple of years but this spring a thick fresh layer of shredded hardwood mulch around the entire house and flower beds revives its promise. I hired someone to help me weed and to dig out some beds full of aggressive thugs. The weeding will need to be continued as signs are everywhere the weeds are not giving up easily. But it feels better for now. The meditation circle is nearly revived, just in time as we stay close to home and send love and wishes of good health to everyone.

I miss teaching yoga, but the wellness center where I teach is posting exercise videos to help members maintain their routines and stay connected. Some of you may enjoy this meditation I prepared.  Unsurprisingly the garden features heavily in it.

In The Garden – Breath and Bodyscan Meditation with Susie
Peaceful morning meditation practice in Susie’s flower garden with nature sounds and singing bowls. Focus on breath, relaxation and sensations in the body.

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower-filled vases across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place in a vase this week. Good health and peace to you.

In A Vase On Monday—April’s Allure

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In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure

Each Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.

After another busy week of non-gardening duties, I stole a few minutes here and there and now at day’s end, Monday’s vase(s) finally are ready.

The colors of the late April garden are rich and deep; the flowers offer plenty of fragrance. My irises are not blooming as well as they should, but I love each new one that opens.

In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure

The purple anemones that survived the fall planting and winter rains are seriously beautiful, but there should be many more. None of the white ‘Bride’ seem to have taken hold.

In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure

This is anemone is an oddity.

This Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ has a crown of stamens on both sides.

Here are a few close-ups.

The yellow Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris) is a passalong from 1977

Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris)

Dianthus Ideal Select Mix

Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ and Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’

 

Materials

Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’ – planted fall 2018
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ – one of first purchases for this garden, 2001
Dianthus Ideal Select Mix – planted this time last year, overwintered well
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris) – yellow pass-along from neighbor Henrietta in 1977
Iris germanica ‘Immortality’) – white rebloomer
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’) – passalong from down-the-street neighbor Gary
Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris) – passalong from a historic old Chapel Hill neighborhood
Foliage
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Blue Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H)
Portmerion Botanic vase, made in England.

As we continue to deal with medical issues there is very little time for the garden or keeping up with blogging friends, but I sneak a peek at your posts when I can. We are finally back at home which makes us happy.

In A Vase On Monday – April’s Allure

Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

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In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

Each Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ was the starting point for today’s vase. With inky coloring outlining  a stitching pattern around the edges of the falls, this iris, which just began opening this week, commands attention.

I. ‘Orinoco Flow’

Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ opened abruptly after sporting fat buds promisingly for days. It deserves attention as well, and made a nice focal flower for the design near the base.

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

Sweetly scented late-blooming narcissus are used as secondary flowers adding contrast in color, value and form. Several stems of the first iris to open this spring, a solid purple iris hybrid pass-along, made it into my Monday vase again this week.

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

Through the years I have admired on others’ blogs the graceful way tulips age. Finally I am able to enjoy up-close the late-stage beauty of Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita.’ Fresh Anemones always delight.

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

Materials

Flowers
Anemone De Caen ‘Mr Fokker’
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Iris germanica (Tall bearded iris)
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’
Muscari ‘Armeniacum’
Narcissus
Tulip Triumph ‘Negrita’
Foliage
Buxus microphylla var koreana ‘Wintergreen’ (Winter boxwood)
Stachys Byzantine (Lamb’s Ear)
Container
Ceramic Urn Stamped “Vintage 4”
6-inch clear Lomey dish
eco-friendly Oasis floral foam

In A Vase On Monday—Vintage Purple

Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.

In A Vase On Monday – Iris And Raindrops

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In A Vase On Monday – Iris And Raindrops

Each Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share an arrangement using materials collected from our gardens.

If I had to choose one flower I most enjoy in the garden it would be iris. So when I returned home Friday from a memorable 3-day beach yoga retreat, it was thrilling to discover the first of this year’s irises are in bloom. After waiting most of our wet, soggy Saturday for a break in the weather which never came, I finally ventured into the rain to admire the flowers up close.

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Pattern, detail, line, color, contrast—Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ has a lot to appreciate. There is a slight fragrance as well. This iris was a lucky trade in a neighborhood plant exchange a few years ago.

Edges of the falls resemble embroidery stitching.

I decided to rescue a handful of the irises and put them to good use as my Monday vase offering.

In A Vase On Monday – Iris And Raindrops

For good measure I included several sprigs of May Night salvia which had also opened while I was away.

Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Hardy Sage)

Using a 2-inch pin holder to hold the stems in place, the design went together quickly. With raindrops still clinging, the flowers were placed on a round shiny black dish among scattered black stones.

In A Vase On Monday – Iris And Raindrops

Materials
Flowers
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’
Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Hardy Sage)
Foliage
Iris leaf
Vase
2-inch round holder with integrated floral pin
Oasis Lomey 11″ Designer Dish, black, round
Black stones

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.

In A Vase On Monday—Clematis Trio

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In A Vase On Monday - Clematis Trio

In A Vase On Monday – Clematis Trio

Monday brings the chance to share cut flowers from the garden by joining in Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday.

At the garden center last week two glazed ceramic planter saucers caught my attention. For some time I had been looking for a square black dish to use for floral arrangements. This style came in several other tempting colors, but I settled on black and white.

The new containers lend themselves to Ikebana-style designs, as do Clematis which are happily in flower this week.

In A Vase On Monday - Clematis Trio

In A Vase On Monday – Clematis Trio

Today’s design turned out quite differently from my original plan to use a red Clematis ‘Niobe’ on the white dish and white Clematis ‘Henryi’ on the black. The effect was underwhelming in this case, but I am tucking the idea away for the future.

Fortunately I had gathered additional material, Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ and several kinds of iris, most of which soon found their way into the arrangement.

Clematis Trio – C. ‘Jackmanii’, C. ‘Niobe’ and C. ‘Henryi’

Iris leaves were added for height along with Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ and Iris tectorum. A small amount of red-purple-greenish foliage of Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ was also incorporated behind C. ‘Jackmanii’.

In A Vase On Monday - Clematis TrioIn A Vase On Monday – Clematis Trio

Materials
Flowers
Clematis ‘Henryi’
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Clematis ‘Niobe’
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ (Bearded iris)
Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris)

Foliage
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ (Bearded iris)

Clematis ‘Henryi’

Clematis ‘Henryi’

Clematis ‘Niobe’ With Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris)

Clematis ‘Niobe’ With Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris)

Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Thanks to Cathy for hosting this weekly flower addiction. Visit her at Rambling In The Garden to discover what she and other gardeners are placing In A Vase On Monday.

In A Vase On Monday—Inky Array

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In A Vase On Monday - Inky Array

In A Vase On Monday – Inky Array

Monday brings the chance to share cut flowers from the garden by joining in Cathy’s weekly challenge In A Vase On Monday.

Yesterday before heading out for the last day of Art In Bloom at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh I quickly assembled an arrangement for today. The flowers had been gathered from my garden on Saturday evening and left to condition overnight. Certainly these blossoms are less opulent, less exotic than what I have been experiencing this week, but they are beautiful and interesting in their own right.

Dark inky purples are among my favorite flowers and when the flowers in question are iris and clematis, I am content. Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ opened this week, along with an unknown bearded iris (reddish-purple) and another with falls marked with stitched edges. I believe the latter is Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow.’

Clematis 'Jackmanii'

Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Iris germanica (Bearded iris)

Iris germanica (Bearded iris)

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Coloring the edge of the northern garden border are spikes of Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ and they make a natural choice to be used as companions.

In A Vase On Monday - Inky Array

In A Vase On Monday – Inky Array

Several stems of Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft) and one sprig of fresh lavender finish off the arrangement.  A multi-stemmed container allows each bloom its independence and room to stand out.

In A Vase On Monday

In A Vase On Monday

Materials
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’ (Bearded iris)
Iris germanica (Bearded iris)
Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Hardy Sage)
Multicolored, multi-stemmed ceramic vase

Underside of Clematis 'Jackmanii'

Underside of Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Iris germanica ‘Orinoco Flow’

Thanks to Cathy for hosting this weekly flower addiction. Visit her at Rambling In The Garden to discover what she and other gardeners are placing In A Vase On Monday.