FINALLY bloom in the Northland!

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laurief
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Location: northern MN - USDA zone 3b
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FINALLY bloom in the Northland!

Post by laurief »

I am well used to loooooong northern winters, but this interminably slow, cold, bloomless spring has REALLY been working my nerves! Until yesterday, that is.

I FINALLY HAVE IRIS BLOOM!!!!! Four littleuns opened yesterday for me. Three are MDBs (miniature dwarf bearded), and the fourth is an SDB (standard dwarf bearded). Here they are ...
Attachments
SDB 'Plum Wine' just couldn't wait for the other SDBs to get started!
SDB 'Plum Wine' just couldn't wait for the other SDBs to get started!
plumwine.jpg (48.41 KiB) Viewed 5714 times
MDB 'Bit More' covers itself with little flowers like a bridal bouquet. A mature clump in bloom is an absolute joy to behold!
MDB 'Bit More' covers itself with little flowers like a bridal bouquet. A mature clump in bloom is an absolute joy to behold!
bitmore3.jpg (49.2 KiB) Viewed 5716 times
MDB 'Alpine Lake' is always lovely in my garden, though it seldom looks the way it should. AL should have white petals with a light blue thumbprint on the falls. The dark purple streaks and splotches you see here aren't typical for this cultivar and are
MDB 'Alpine Lake' is always lovely in my garden, though it seldom looks the way it should. AL should have white petals with a light blue thumbprint on the falls. The dark purple streaks and splotches you see here aren't typical for this cultivar and are
alpinelake3.jpg (49.98 KiB) Viewed 5718 times
'Blue Doll' is an historic MDB. You may notice in this pic that the far lefthand bloom caught just the slightest hint of RoundUp drift when I sprayed about a month ago (the foliage was barely an inch high AND I covered the plant before spraying!).
'Blue Doll' is an historic MDB. You may notice in this pic that the far lefthand bloom caught just the slightest hint of RoundUp drift when I sprayed about a month ago (the foliage was barely an inch high AND I covered the plant before spraying!).
bluedoll3.jpg (44.69 KiB) Viewed 5716 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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DaLoveRat
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Joined: May 24, 2007 6:14 am
USDA Zone: 5a
Location: Central- Michigan

Post by DaLoveRat »

Nice Pics Laurie, although it may not be showing its stuff properly 'Alpine Lake' has character I like it.
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

Personally, I love Alpine Lake with the color breaking, but I know that it makes Dorothy Willott (the hybridizer) cringe when she sees pics of her baby looking like that.

Laurie
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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two more

Post by laurief »

Two more of my little lovelies opened yesterday.
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My first maiden iris bloom of the season.<br /><br />SDB 'Wizard of Hope'
My first maiden iris bloom of the season.

SDB 'Wizard of Hope'
wizardofhope.jpg (49.07 KiB) Viewed 5673 times
SDB 'Cornhusker Autumn'
SDB 'Cornhusker Autumn'
cornhuskerautumn2.jpg (49.83 KiB) Viewed 5676 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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kHT
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Joined: Oct 31, 2001 8:00 pm
USDA Zone: 7-8 Z-nial
Location: PNW, some where over the rainbow?

Post by kHT »

Those are neat, ya got more please?
karma 'Happy Toes' (kHT)
The Goddess is Alive and Magic is Afoot!!!!
I'm just a simple housewife.
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laurief
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more bloomers

Post by laurief »

More bloomers opened yesterday on a gloomy, drizzly day.
Attachments
SDB 'Red Heart'
SDB 'Red Heart'
redheart1.jpg (47.74 KiB) Viewed 5657 times
Horrible pic, I know.<br /><br />MDB 'Invisible Ink'
Horrible pic, I know.

MDB 'Invisible Ink'
invisibleink3.jpg (49.92 KiB) Viewed 5658 times
SDB 'Being Busy'
SDB 'Being Busy'
beingbusy3.jpg (45.79 KiB) Viewed 5658 times
SDB 'Add It Up'
SDB 'Add It Up'
additup1.jpg (49.61 KiB) Viewed 5658 times
SDB 'Blueberry Tart' is a maiden bloomer for which I've been eagerly waiting. It's blooming a tiny little flower about 1/4&amp;quot; off of the soil. It also has no increase, so there's a chance of bloomout. Poor little rz had a hard time settling in with dog
SDB 'Blueberry Tart' is a maiden bloomer for which I've been eagerly waiting. It's blooming a tiny little flower about 1/4&quot; off of the soil. It also has no increase, so there's a chance of bloomout. Poor little rz had a hard time settling in with dog
blueberrytart2.jpg (43.66 KiB) Viewed 5655 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

and more ...
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'Wizard of Hope', 'Blueberry Tart', and now this maiden. It's a good thing that I really enjoy this particular color combination!<br /><br />SDB 'Flirting Again'
'Wizard of Hope', 'Blueberry Tart', and now this maiden. It's a good thing that I really enjoy this particular color combination!

SDB 'Flirting Again'
flirtingagain3.jpg (47.13 KiB) Viewed 5653 times
MDB 'Mighty Mouse'
MDB 'Mighty Mouse'
mightymouse2.jpg (42.8 KiB) Viewed 5655 times
And yet another maiden. This one didn't like the unpleasant weather yesterday and wouldn't fully open, but I couldn't resist taking its pic, anyway. A real little eye-popper!<br /><br />SDB 'Mikey Likes It'
And yet another maiden. This one didn't like the unpleasant weather yesterday and wouldn't fully open, but I couldn't resist taking its pic, anyway. A real little eye-popper!

SDB 'Mikey Likes It'
mikeylikesit3.jpg (43.5 KiB) Viewed 5655 times
Another cutie patootie maiden bloomer ... well, sort of. I received this one mislabeled from a trade, and the first time it bloomed last year, it had been hit with RoundUp drift, so I couldn't tell what it was really supposed to look like. The trader was
Another cutie patootie maiden bloomer ... well, sort of. I received this one mislabeled from a trade, and the first time it bloomed last year, it had been hit with RoundUp drift, so I couldn't tell what it was really supposed to look like. The trader was
tellfibs2.jpg (49.32 KiB) Viewed 5654 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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Garden_of_Mu
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Post by Garden_of_Mu »

Mighty Mouse, Tell Fibs and Red Heart are just gorgeous. Love those colors!
~ Mike

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t
matter and those who matter don’t mind.” - Theodore Geisel, aka Dr.
Seuss
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Nathalie23
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Joined: Feb 17, 2006 10:08 pm
Location: Quebec, Canada (zone 4) 46 25'/-72 35'

Post by Nathalie23 »

WOW! You have very beautiful irises!!!! Very nice colors! Thanks for sharing!
Nathalie

I usually speak french so sorry for my mistakes in english
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

They're popping open quickly now. Here are some more of my current bloomers.
Attachments
MDB 'Child Bride'
MDB 'Child Bride'
childbride3.jpg (49.5 KiB) Viewed 5593 times
MDB 'Pink Blink'
MDB 'Pink Blink'
pinkblink3.jpg (48.94 KiB) Viewed 5592 times
MDB 'Doozey'
MDB 'Doozey'
doozey3.jpg (49.86 KiB) Viewed 5593 times
MDB 'Zipper'
MDB 'Zipper'
zipperclump.jpg (49.06 KiB) Viewed 5595 times
MDB 'Blue Beret'
MDB 'Blue Beret'
blueberet3.jpg (49.12 KiB) Viewed 5592 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

and more ...
Attachments
SDB 'Fresh Baked'
SDB 'Fresh Baked'
freshbaked1.jpg (49.23 KiB) Viewed 5588 times
SDB 'Delicate Pink'
SDB 'Delicate Pink'
delicatepink1.jpg (49.62 KiB) Viewed 5590 times
SDB 'Cherry Garden'
SDB 'Cherry Garden'
cherrygarden1.jpg (49.39 KiB) Viewed 5589 times
SDB 'Auroralita'
SDB 'Auroralita'
auroralitalbb2.jpg (48.77 KiB) Viewed 5591 times
MDB 'Aurora Sea'
MDB 'Aurora Sea'
aurorasea3.jpg (41.77 KiB) Viewed 5592 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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Joined: Mar 06, 2008 12:51 pm
Location: northern MN - USDA zone 3b
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Post by laurief »

yes, still more ...
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Last photo for tonight, and my first arilbred bloomer of the year<br /><br />AB 'Green Eyed Sheba'
Last photo for tonight, and my first arilbred bloomer of the year

AB 'Green Eyed Sheba'
greeneyedsheba1.jpg (50.01 KiB) Viewed 5588 times
My first IB bloomer of the year<br /><br />IB 'Allah'
My first IB bloomer of the year

IB 'Allah'
allah1.jpg (49.67 KiB) Viewed 5588 times
SDB 'Helmsman'
SDB 'Helmsman'
helmsman3.jpg (48.98 KiB) Viewed 5586 times
SDB 'Raspberry Jam'
SDB 'Raspberry Jam'
raspberryjam1.jpg (44.02 KiB) Viewed 5588 times
SDB 'Lovin' Spoonful'
SDB 'Lovin' Spoonful'
lovinspoonful2.jpg (48.54 KiB) Viewed 5588 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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caliloo
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Joined: Dec 07, 2004 5:11 am
USDA Zone: SE PA z6
Location: SE PA Zone 6/7

Post by caliloo »

WOW! You have so many that are very beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing them - several are going on my wish list.....

Alexa
Spring - An experience in immortality.
- Henry D. Thoreau
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LucyGoose
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Joined: Nov 14, 2001 8:00 pm
Location: Zone 5, Northwest Indiana

Post by LucyGoose »

:o OMG....Where in the heck have *I* been?? I am sorry I have not seen this thread sooner, but boy what a nice morning wake up!!....LOTS of beauties!!!! Thanks so much!! :cool:
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

Ten more pics for you today ...
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Interestingly, in the shadier bed, this one is always a clear white with a blue beard. Last year I planted a piece in a full sun bed, and I didn't even recognize it when it bloomed! In the sun bed it's a creamy white with a yellow halo around the beard. I
Interestingly, in the shadier bed, this one is always a clear white with a blue beard. Last year I planted a piece in a full sun bed, and I didn't even recognize it when it bloomed! In the sun bed it's a creamy white with a yellow halo around the beard. I
blueline2.jpg (48.98 KiB) Viewed 5557 times
One of my all time favorites ...<br /><br />SDB 'Firestorm'
One of my all time favorites ...

SDB 'Firestorm'
firestorm3.jpg (49.43 KiB) Viewed 5557 times
SDB 'Fortune Seeker'
SDB 'Fortune Seeker'
fortuneseeker2.jpg (49.34 KiB) Viewed 5558 times
This one is sooo adorable! Unfortunately, it's also an excruciatingly slow grower and unreliable bloomer for me. I think this is only the third time I've seen it bloom in the last 10 yrs, and its clump has never had more than 3-4 rzs.<br /><br />MDB 'Flea Circus'
This one is sooo adorable! Unfortunately, it's also an excruciatingly slow grower and unreliable bloomer for me. I think this is only the third time I've seen it bloom in the last 10 yrs, and its clump has never had more than 3-4 rzs.

MDB 'Flea Circus'
fleacircus1.jpg (49.84 KiB) Viewed 5558 times
MDB 'Little Mohee'
MDB 'Little Mohee'
littlemohee2.jpg (47.6 KiB) Viewed 5558 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

more ...
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Last one for now, but certainly not least. Another one of my very favorites. If this had been my creation, I would have named it &amp;quot;Mood Ring&amp;quot; because that's what it reminds me of every time I look at it. I adore the moody hues of this little flow
Last one for now, but certainly not least. Another one of my very favorites. If this had been my creation, I would have named it &quot;Mood Ring&quot; because that's what it reminds me of every time I look at it. I adore the moody hues of this little flow
pilgrimschoice2.jpg (46.58 KiB) Viewed 5552 times
SDB 'Jelly Belly'
SDB 'Jelly Belly'
jellybelly1.jpg (45.15 KiB) Viewed 5554 times
Maiden bloom. This one stopped me in my tracks with its phenomenal color.<br /><br />SDB 'Smooth'
Maiden bloom. This one stopped me in my tracks with its phenomenal color.

SDB 'Smooth'
smooth1.jpg (48.89 KiB) Viewed 5552 times
Usually one of my very first bloomers of the season, it was beat to the punch by several others this year ...<br /><br />SDB 'Golden Violet'
Usually one of my very first bloomers of the season, it was beat to the punch by several others this year ...

SDB 'Golden Violet'
goldenviolet1.jpg (44.79 KiB) Viewed 5554 times
Such a pretty little pink ...<br /><br />SDB 'Kiss Me Quick'
Such a pretty little pink ...

SDB 'Kiss Me Quick'
kissmequick2.jpg (46.96 KiB) Viewed 5554 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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AnjaP
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Joined: Jun 09, 2003 12:13 pm
Location: Germany

Post by AnjaP »

Wowwwww, your pictures are gorgeous.
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

My irises are blooming so fast and furious now that I barely have time to run around taking pics. With these littleuns, depending on the weather, sometimes there's only an hour or two when they really look their best. Sometimes there are NO hours when they're at their best! So I'm in and out of the iris beds all day trying to capture the nicest possible "pose" for each flower. Rainy conditions sure don't help, and we're supposed to be rainy all week! Ugh! Some of my maiden bloomers only give me one or two flowers, and if they open in the rain, so much for decent pics. :-(

Anyhow, I've got a lot of pics sitting in my computer now that I haven't had time to prepare for posting. I'll give you 12 more tonight, though. Starting with ...
Attachments
MDB 'Western Circles'
MDB 'Western Circles'
westerncircles3.jpg (43.9 KiB) Viewed 5445 times
MDB 'Nancy Butterfly'
MDB 'Nancy Butterfly'
nancybutterfly1.jpg (49.7 KiB) Viewed 5445 times
MDB 'Chubby Cherub'
MDB 'Chubby Cherub'
chubbycherubclump.jpg (49.93 KiB) Viewed 5445 times
MDB 'Sparky'
MDB 'Sparky'
sparky3.jpg (47.59 KiB) Viewed 5445 times
MDB 'Hey There'
MDB 'Hey There'
heythere1.jpg (50 KiB) Viewed 5446 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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Post by laurief »

more ...
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A lovely little flower with a subtly beautiful spot pattern and perfect form.<br /><br />SDB 'Dot Com'
A lovely little flower with a subtly beautiful spot pattern and perfect form.

SDB 'Dot Com'
dotcom1.jpg (48.78 KiB) Viewed 5442 times
Maiden bloom. I wouldn't normally post as bad a pic as this, but I fear this might be the best I'll get out of this baby this first year.<br /><br />MDB 'Sun Dabs'
Maiden bloom. I wouldn't normally post as bad a pic as this, but I fear this might be the best I'll get out of this baby this first year.

MDB 'Sun Dabs'
sundabs3.jpg (48.06 KiB) Viewed 5439 times
MDB 'Maya Mint'
MDB 'Maya Mint'
mayamint3.jpg (49.97 KiB) Viewed 5441 times
MDB 'Wise'
MDB 'Wise'
wise1.jpg (49.59 KiB) Viewed 5438 times
MDB 'Snowy River'
MDB 'Snowy River'
snowyriver3.jpg (49.93 KiB) Viewed 5441 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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laurief
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Joined: Mar 06, 2008 12:51 pm
Location: northern MN - USDA zone 3b
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Post by laurief »

I planted this particular rhizome in a full sun bed last summer, and to my surprise, this flower is significantly lighter purple than the clump from which the rz was taken in my less sunny bed. I don't know if it's the extra sunlight or a different soil chemistry that makes the difference, but I prefer the darker, richer purple this cv demonstrates in the less sunny bed.
Attachments
Last for this evening. Another maiden bloomer, and another funny little face. I love these silly ones, and this one is particularly aptly named.<br /><br />SDB 'Circus Clown'
Last for this evening. Another maiden bloomer, and another funny little face. I love these silly ones, and this one is particularly aptly named.

SDB 'Circus Clown'
circusclown3.jpg (43.86 KiB) Viewed 5438 times
SDB 'Dark Vader'
SDB 'Dark Vader'
darkvader2.jpg (49.77 KiB) Viewed 5440 times
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern Minnesota
normal annual precipitation 26-27"
slightly alkaline, potassium deficient, clay soil
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