iris alert

when we bought the place, there was this very small patch of beautiful green and blue mini iris-type leaves near the entry steps: a few weeks later lovely little purple flowers shot up! after four years, the patch has spread to about 2'x3' and its annual blooms are one of spring's highlights around here! i had never seen the plant sold anywhere, so i planned on digging and dividing it this fall. searching sunshine farm & garden's website this afternoon, i see they are selling it! it is called iris verna, and it is a native species wild flower to many east coast and mid atlantic states. i ordered a bunch for the upcoming river bed garden, but i think i will still divide the patch i already have.