Most Popular Post

Friday 15 July 2016

Irises

In the last year of his life, Vincent van Gogh painted irises he observed in the garden of the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. We have seen several of these paintings during our travels.

 

The camera replaced the paint brush for me and I took numerous photos of the irises in my garden these past weeks.

 

Some are like velvet in texture and indigo in colour. 

 
 
These Siberian irises are small compared to the violet German irises with which they share the flower bed. 

 

The richness of colour makes them regal, and the size and texture make for interesting comparisons. 

The German irises, though bigger, are no less beautiful, with their rich texture and colour.

 

Some are a dark colour while others are lighter shades of purple.

 

A cluster makes it difficult to pass them without stopping.

 

Even the bud, reminiscent of an open tube of lipstick, is remarkable.

 

We work to have these beauties in the garden but nature makes it look so easy. In a recent visit to Belmont Park on Prince Edward Island, there was a blue flag iris in all its natural beauty.

 
 
It was a competitor, vying for a position in the woodland setting. Without daily watering in the heat of summer, the iris stood out as a beacon, slender yet hardy, splashed with yellow and white. Though the irises in the garden are beautiful, there is nothing quite like those found in nature.

 

 

24 comments:

Tabor said...

Irises in July...what a wonder from my latitude. Beautiful.

DJan said...

Just beautiful. I love your pretty iris but especially those Siberian ones. :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Irises are so beautiful and so fleeting.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Siberian irises are my favourite, they don't seem to have iris borer problems like the bearded types. I'm trying to expand my colour collection and the pink strawberry fair blooms just after Caesar's brother in my front garden.
You could make your own water colour of irises with Waterlogue if you have an iOS product. :-)

ADRIAN said...

I guess that he either had a lot more than you or he used a bit of artistic licence. I enjoyed seeing the photographs.

Mage said...

Just loverly...thank you.

Elephant's Child said...

We grow iris too. Bearded iris, dutch iris (which look a lot like your Siberian ones) and more. Lovely splashes of colour.
Thanks for the reminder.

Marie Smith said...

It is the usual time for them here!

Marie Smith said...

They are gorgeous!

Marie Smith said...

Several days does it!

Marie Smith said...

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out!

I'm going to expand the iris colours too for next year.

Marie Smith said...

Vincent had lots of time on his hands too.

Marie Smith said...

You are welcome, Mage.

Marie Smith said...

Isn't it lovely that people all over the world can grow and enjoy these beauties?

Anonymous said...

For some reason I am having difficulty with your site this AM. I just ran a scan, to make sure it wasn't my computer. I love the photos you show, which finally loaded.

Van Gogh loved the tall bearded German irises you grow, and so so I. My favorite iris in fact, allthough I also have the Dutch Flags. Some think the French Fleur de Lis is really a flag Iris.

Anvilcloud said...

I shall now think of you as Marie Gogh.

Marie Smith said...

I'm glad the site loaded for you.

Got to love van Gogh and the irises.

Marie Smith said...

Just call me Vincenta!

baili said...

Oh your lovely followers are pleasure to eye thank you for sharing ,in over here I don't see them but little similar to them in a look and touch

Tomoko said...

Your iris is beautiful,Marie.
Have a good summer.

Shammickite said...

One of my favourite summer flowers.

Marie Smith said...

It is interesting to know what flowers grow in your country.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Tomoko. Enjoy your summer.

Marie Smith said...

Mine too. Such brief beauty!