Have you ever tried to look up the meaning of a certain flower on the internet? I searched for the iris, and found hundreds of meanings for this lovely blossom that is the inspiration for the symbol of France.
The word “iris” is said to mean “rainbow,” which makes sense I guess when you see the variety of colors that pop up in my yard. Unfortunately, those plants won’t wait until I get the flower beds cleaned to make a good backdrop for them … and they are ephemeral. They will be gone for the year before I can get their “stage” set.
Most of the sites I visited said that the iris flower meant “faith, hope, and wisdom.” One site said that in the language of flowers the iris symbolizes “eloquence.” I thought that particularly ironic today, because my “eloquence” feels gone with the wind.
So, I’ll just pretend I’m Georgia O’Keeffe with a camera and show you a picture of my favorite color of iris. I’m not sure what color you would call this one. I’ve always called it “wine colored,” but I don’t see that as a color listed for the plant. Is it the one listed as “brown?” Perhaps “chocolate?”
You decide. I have to go out in the garden and look at it again, because it will shrivel before the day is out.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- Fear of Crayons
- Intoxicating Iris At Argyle Acres
- Some Installation Required
- Name That Plant!
- Her Favorite Flower
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my grandmother (who lived in Denton) had a massive bed of purple irises at her house. when she died and we sold the house, mom dug up several of them. She brought them back & planted them at her house. I have some of them now in my backyard. They are so pretty!
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Easter =-.
The purples are gorgeous, aren’t they? A long time ago, there was a house here in Denton that was just surrounded in irises. I went there, but can’t remember where it was. I’m told the lady gave them away in the fall! Maybe to her they were as insidious as the monkey grass is to me?
I’d go with ‘wine’ colored. Starting from the top, you have a beautiful ice reisling, late harvest perhaps, so heavy on the sugar. The central part of the flower reminds me of a particularly oaky chardonnay, with hints of vanilla. And finishing at the bottom, a lovely cabernet, smooth and rich. Ah, memories!
Nice shot, Shelly! Wish we had some more blooms in the yard, but aside from a few meager bluebonnets, nothing happening yet.
.-= Van Sutherland´s last blog ..A Great Egret and a lucky moment =-.
Bwahaha! You made me thirsty. Your garden will bloom soon, just wait. Down there in Austin you should have some glorious color.
Oh so pretty. My mother-in-law’s family, her mom, grew hundreds of them, hybridized several. So many varieties on that property. Some I transplated to my garden at my new home but not sure about the blooming of all of them this first year.
The meaning of these flowers is not something I ever considered. I always thought they were just beautiful.
The meaning of the flowers doesn’t really matter as long as you like them
. I don’t know if yours will bloom the first year (the farm told me there is a 50/50 chance. I’ll look forward to pictures.
My mom has irises and lilys (Fleur-de-Lis) in her garden, they are dignified, standing next to the pond. I understand why the lilies are on so many flags including the québécois flag.
.-= Terry Elisabeth´s last blog ..Il pleut =-.
At the iris farm they told me that the iris is the fleur de lis not the lily. You speak French, girl, so which is it?
Shelly,
That is one of the lovely “frilled” irises. It is similar to the Lemon Mist http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1079598854047727058QFBmnv but that one doesn’t have the red, so you might as well go with “wine”
Whatever you call it. It is truly beautiful.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Declaration of Arbroath =-.
It’s one of my favorite, but I think I might also have what you call “lemon mist” out there.
Excellent photo.
The Iris was always my mom’s favorite. The Mrs. is trying her luck with them this year.
.-= slamdunk´s last blog ..Outta the Way Big Kid =-.
The Mrs. should have great luck with irises. They are pretty low maintenance. In the field behind our house there are some growing (leftover from when there was once a house there). They are never tended and look lovely.
Thanks for stopping by! I love your blog.
Have you been to the iris sale in Argyle? It’s running right now till mid March. HUNDREDS of varieties of iris for sale (shipping in early Sept). But they welcome browsers and picture taking also. Their site is http://www.argyleacres.com
Thank you, Pat! I was ready to run there with the camera, but it starts on Saturday according to the website. I know what I’ll be doing next week
I appreciate the heads up.
The iris is named after the goddess of the rainbow — Iris.
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