Is it a poem,
a prayer,
a photo,
a flower?
Iris unguicularis is a species from the Mediterranean region with pale to rich lavender fragrant flowers. It is a late autumn and winter flowering species with flowers blooming low to the ground and sometimes hidden by the leaves. This species is best grown unmulched with little to no summer water. Cutting the leaves back in late summer to early fall allows the beautiful flowers to be more visible. New leaves appear September and October and this is the best time to divide this species.
Artist Husband, who's often on a leaf search for papermaking, brought these home from a Berkeley garden many years ago. Each winter they're such a surprise, low to the ground in a tangle of leaves. They're fragile and often chewed on the edges. I found two unblemished- they paled as they lasted two days in the house.
Have a happy day!
