All the colours of the rainbow

The iris is a flower whose history extends far back in time.

The word is from the Greek, meaning rainbow, but their actual colour spectrum is even wider.

Purple bearded iris

It is possible that the lilies of the fields, which the bible asks us to consider, were in fact iris rather than lilies. The iris has been known for at least two thousand years and the flower has inspired artists and poets alike.  Much loved by Monet at Giverny, blue irises were a favourite subject for Van Gogh.

Mostly grown from rhizomes, irises are well adapted to the British climate and are mainly disease and pest free. The British Iris Society is celebrating its 90^th birthday this year, proof positive of how much esteem the plant is held here.

White bearded iris

The plant is very adaptable and there are types that grow in conditions ranging from deep dry shade, even growing underneath trees (iris foetidissima) to full sun (the blowsy bearded variety). Where would spring be without the delicate iris reticulata  and early summer without my personal favourite, the  elegant iris sibirica,  grown in Elizabethan gardens and ponds without the yellow flag iris.

Iris sibirica

The Dog Days begin on 3^rd July, and last until 11^th August. 

Garden lore tells us that they are linked with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius, and that these are the hottest days of the year!

Pablo is hoping this is true and keeps looking longingly at the summer house …

Enjoying the summer house ...

St Vitus's Day

15th June was St Vitus's  Day and the rhyme goes

If St Vitus Day be rainy weather
It will rain for forty days together 


Farming lore also promises that 'If on 8th June it rain, that foretells a wet harvest, men sayen'

Dreaming of sunshine

The rain certainly has 'raineth every day', keeping snails and slugs very happy but the rest of us have been very unhappy indeed, including Pablo who kept going to the door, looking out and turning back. He dodged the showers by hiding underneath the cars and to compensate has spent most of June to date asleep.




Unable to garden, I have visited lots of garden centres, trying to decide which plants to buy with my  birthday garden tokens. Because I am able to buy plants, I couldn't decide what to chose and so chunks of the borders are still bare of perennial planting. I have added some pre-sown annuals - salpiglossis, nasturtium and cosmos and have scattered nigella, cornflower and various poppy seeds - but, like a child in a sweet shop, I still can't make my mind exactly what effect I want to achieve but I am enjoying trying to decide.

Finally, today, the rain stopped and the sun came out and Pablo got to spend time in the summer house.








 The garden has become a jungle - a  riotous mix and tangle of weeds and flowers.

Rampant shuttlecock ferns

The smell of new-mown grass - as husband Glynn, in common with most of the neighbours, dashed madly around the lawn, mower at the ready -  together with the glory of the welcome sunshine which lit up the rampant borders to perfection, almost made up for the long wet days.

iris sibirica plus various perennial geraniums

'What is one to 
say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfilment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade'

Gertrude Jekyll