today's flower: dwarf iris

the first dwarf iris of a bunch shot up this past weekend.

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.

euphorbia!

euphorbia is one of my favorite plants because they have a modern, sculptural look i really dig. i already have 'martini' growing in my front yard in kensington, but decided i needed 'jessie' while researching the post below. this gorgeous, tall blond has been patented by barry @ sunshine farm & garden and will look fantastic where ever i decide to put it... and it works perfectly with this year's hot color trend!

sunshine farm & gardens

barry, the proprietor of sunshine farm & gardens always has something new to show me: this time, its a phreakin phabulous phlox! Phlox paniculata 'Jeana': what a beauty!