Something other than chard: irises. There are more than 200 species of them, I just read, and there are innumerable varieties. I think these irises growing in our back yard are a pretty standard variety, but they are nonetheless spectacular and abundant this spring. In French, iris is pronounced [ee-reece], whether singular or plural. Phonetically, un-n-iris, deux-z-iris, trois-z-iris...
I just also read that the iris was the "talisman" of Clovis, the king of the Franks from 481 to 531 A.D. and the first Frankish king to convert to Christianity. He was supposedly crossing the Vienne river at a fording place near the town of Châtelleraut, not far south of Tours, when he saw patches of irises growing along the riverbanks and adopted the iris as his good luck charm. The French fleur de lys is an iris, actually, not a lily as you might think.
I took these photos in late April, about a week ago. We've been having rainy weather and tomorrow its supposed to turn downright cold, so these irises might soon be gone.
Love em. These bearded irises are beautiful. Along with pevoines, my favorites. I also like the yellow-ish irises.
ReplyDeleteHi D. Among other things we have in common, just like you my favorite flower is any kind of iris and, close second, come pivoines, preferably bright red.
DeleteÀ Paris, il fait moche et froid aujourd'hui. What else is new? Tomato plants will have to wait. Light freeze is predicted for the next few days. Hope there will be no damage to the vineyards.
ReplyDeleteHere it has clouded over and rain will most likely start in a few minutes. On n'est pas gâté...
DeleteSome people around here in the South call iris "flags". I have always liked them and finally have some yellow ones doing well.
ReplyDeleteI remember that we had yellow irises in our yard in Morehead City.
DeleteSo interesting you say this. I grew up in Texas calling them "flag iris." In CA (and most od the country it seems) nobody uses that term. Had to learn they are "bearded."
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