Gypsy Romance Iris And Roses

I paired the Gypsy Romance iris with Evolution Blue Sage-Salvia farinacea.
In my garden here in Texas it is a perennial. It is more
full and colorful than last year. It doesn't
require much care nor does it need deadheading. 

It is also planted in front of Abraham Darby rose.
I just love the color combination.

Blooming onion in the foreground.

New addition to the shade garden -
'Variegated Mariesii' Bigleaf Hydrangea, Lacecap
It is suppose to have silvery blue flowers. 

This is the rose I started from a cutting last fall.
The bush is so small, but the flower is so big.
This is the first time I have tried this. 

Unknown rose paired with Variegated Privet.
 The flowers on the shrub are
in bloom and they smell wonderful. I'm thinking this
rose is Tropicana, not sure. It was here
 when we moved to this house.
I moved it to this location last summer. It is just
 loaded with blooms. The picture below
is a more true to color photo.  

Tropicana???? I guess I'll
never know for sure.

The Queen Elizabeth rose is beautiful. I recommend this
one for your rose garden. 

Up close of Elainealope iris. It looks
as if someone splattered a darker shade of
purple on it.

A Few More Iris Tips

Here are a couple of more iris tips.
1. Rhizomes should be exposed with roots spread
 out facing downward.
 If you live in a hot climate, cover the rhizome with
about an 1" of soil. Iris need
good drainage.
2. Iris should be divided about every 3-4 years.

Jamaican Dream 

Elainealope Iris

This is Elainealope iris. I moved it to this spot
last summer. The top flower, before it opened, had
a large worm chewing away at it. I promptly removed
it before it could devour all it. The rose behind it
is William Shakespeare 2000, a David Austin rose.
My sister requested that I put a few iris foliage
tips on my blog. Here goes:
1. Keep your iris bed free of weeds or debris.
2. After the iris has bloomed, cut the bloom stalk
off close to the ground and discard.
3. Healthy leaves should be left alone but the
old, dying or diseased leaves should be cut off
and discarded.
4. In the fall or early winter trim up your iris leaves by
trimming the healthy leaves to about 6" and remove
dead or dying leaves. Your trimmed iris should
look like a fan.

Today's Garden Photos

Loop The Loop and Superstition iris
in the shade garden.

Cherry Blossom Song iris, first day for
it to bloom today.

Ahh, (the scent is out of this world) Abraham Darby -
 just can't walk by
without snapping
a photo.

Jamaican Dream Iris

Jamaican Dream iris. This is another one I bought
two years ago - and it just bloomed for the first
time today. I paired it with the
Graham Thomas David Austin rose.

First day for the Superstition iris to
bloom. I moved this last summer over by the
Abraham Darby David Austin rose.

I love this new iris
Loop The Loop.

Still Trying To Obtain The Cottage Feel

Found The White Iris

I brought this iris from my old house. It
didn't bloom last year, so I am
very glad to see it again.
This is a very majestic white iris, measuring in
at 42" tall. I don't
know the name of it, but it performs
well in the garden - it multiplies fast and the
flower lasts a long time.

Garden area started by the rocks
 that used to have Pampas grass growing around them.
It is coming along nicely.

I added these iris to the "rose bed island".
The bud is Rustic Royalty iris, then Spin-off iris, and the purple
one is an unknown. I think it might be an
heirloom iris,

I just love the flower balls on the red onion.
Queen Elizabeth rose is in the
background. It is now about 6 ft tall.

Portmeirion David Austin English
rose. This has a sweet mild
fragrance.

Row of 7 Pink Knockouts.

I am adding stones to the border of the
Pink Knockouts.

Roses

JFK Rose. This is the rose that was planted
on the outside of the fence by the road
by the previous owner. I moved it last
summer to the front of the shade garden. It
survived the extreme heat and
now seems to be very happy in it's new
place. Behind this rose
are the white camellias
and white azaleas.

Pink Double Knockouts with the
red Mr Lincoln in the background. This
is the long row of 7 Knockouts
that I planted in front of the fence last spring.
 Eventually they will form one
 long wall of roses and hide
the chain link fence. 

Abraham Darby David Austin
English rose. I have
to stick my nose in this one
every time I am near it.

Loop The Loop Iris

This is another iris I bought two years
ago. Today was the first time it
bloomed. Note the pale purple
beard. This is Loop The Loop.
It is really tall - 45", yep - I
measured it.