Neighbours passed my house when the irises were in their full glory.
“Your irises are lovely,” one said. “Too bad they don’t last longer.”
“Well, I guess they’re here for when they’re supposed to be,” I said. “After the spring flowers and before everything else.”
Early spring snowdrops were long gone, and my tulips and daffodils had already lost their heads. But the alliums had not yet burst out in their fireworks shape, and the poppies, bee balm and clematis were still forming buds.
The irises, between all of that, waved their purple heads at passers by.
It’s not the irises job to carry the load of my garden beauty for the whole summer. They perform spectacularly right where they are planted, at exactly the right time, and they enjoy everyone’s full attention.
Somerton Smith 
I used iris in a Scrabble game yesterday. Got rid of some excess “i”s.
Ha! Glad to know the word was there when needed. 🙂
Perfectly true: It’s not the irises job to carry the load of my garden beauty for the whole summer. You find the most profound truth in simple lessons, Arlene. That’s why your post is always a “must read” for me. 🙂
Thank you. Most of my thoughts are given to me through friends, like in this situation. I consider myself super lucky that way.
I agree with Marian. SO profound and wise. We have Iris in our garden for the first time this year – a writing friend gave me some of her bulbs last fall. They are magnificent, but I’ll admit, I whined a bit that they lasted such a short time. Never again will I whine about this!
I was lucky in that I enjoyed irises in my home garden, and then we came to our cottage where the season is a little later, so I saw ours here. And our cottage neighbour has a different kind that bloom later, so they are in their glory now. All there when needed.
Much to my dismay we’ve never ever been about to grow iris here. I don’t get it, but they will not do their bulb thing in our soil. It makes me sad because I like them and the message they send to the world. Thanks for sharing photos of yours.
I can’t give too much advice. I am a “stick plants in the ground and see if they live” kind of gardener. The only thing I am able to say is that the friend who gave them to me told me not to plant them too deep. They are cheeky, and like to leave their rhizomes showing. 😆
Your flowers are beautiful. I love how you appreciate them, present and mindful. They are indeed blooming at their perfect time, and nobody can ask more from them than that.
No indeed. No one can ask for more. Acceptance for something, or someone, as is – so important!
I like how easy iris are to grow. I started with just a few bulbs, divided them a few times over the years, and now have lots of beautiful iris that definitely steal the show in late May and early June.
Yes, they are wonderful that way. A lovely plant to share.