The Iris – A Symbol of Royalty and Subject of Ancient Art

The iris was one of my mom’s favorite flowers and to this day, I can’t see one of these blooms without thinking of her. These showy purple, blue, yellow, orange, or white flowers have served as the symbol of the French monarchy and are named after the Greek goddess who rode the rainbows. The bloom of the iris is typically composed of three upward petals and three downward sepals that look like … [Read more...]

The Hyacinth – Feast Your Noses on a Mediterranean Native This Spring

The hyacinth tends to be the lesser known beauty of the typical spring blooms, but if you have ever smelled one . . . ahh, the scent of pure loveliness. It’s enough to make you want to dig them all up and replant them right by your door so you can enjoy them every time you head out for a walk on a nice spring day! Now, I must clarify - I am talking about the flowering hyacinth, not the miniature … [Read more...]

The Iconic Daffodil – A Dazzling Sign That Spring Is Replacing Winter

Nothing says, “Hello, it’s spring!” like the daffodil! The sunny blooms seem to smile up at you from the ground left barren from the cold winter. These spring flowers typically grow in bunches, like little pockets of sunshine in your garden. The trumpet-shaped bloom of daffodils can be yellow, white, or orange. Each bloom has a central corona that protects the reproductive structures of the … [Read more...]

The Charming Crocus – Find it in Siberia and Your Backyard

When we lived in Virginia, the sight of crocus blooms popping up in our yard meant that spring was close at hand. I think that is the reason why the crocus remains one of my favorite spring bulbs! But did you know that there are over 80 different varieties of crocus? The crocus is part of the iris family and is thought to have originated in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  These flowers can live from … [Read more...]