The Flags are Unfurling. . .

 

Soon the flags will be unfurling for Memorial Day.

school-flag

But here in my garden a different kind of flag has started to unfurl.

The Iris was one of my sweet mothers favorite flowers.  She often referred to them as flags.

DSC01338

I wonder why they are sometimes called flags?  And I also wonder why I never really asked my mother that question.  Do you think that it has anything to do with the fact that they bloom right around Memorial Day?

DSC01340

Notice how the petals are rolled and when they open they resemble the unfurling of a flag.  Maybe that’s the reason.

DSC01369

DSC01357

Some of my Iris have yet to unfurl but here’s some that have.

DSC01358

Have you ever looked closely inside?

DSC01361

DSC01359

DSC01363

These mini peach Iris are so sweet.  Love them kissed with dew!

DSC01335

This peach and lavender Iris is one of my favorites.

DSC01339

The blooms on this variegated Iris are not large, but the greenery is so pretty!

DSC01336

DSC01337

My mothers love of the Iris, (flag) has passed over to me.  I can’t help but think of her whenever I see them. 

I will be picking a bouquet to place on her grave.

Do you have a flower that reminds you of someone special?

hugs,

Jann

p.s. I want to thank Revi  from Revisionary Life for featuring my Short Stack post at her Thrifty Things Thursday.  I appreciate it so much!

I will be sharing with these lovely parties:

Fishtail Cottage for Garden Party

27 comments

Curtains in My Tree said...

My Iris was so pretty this year my large white ones was the pretties and I told them so LOL
The rain and high winds have torn them down already
My neighbor ask me just last night if I wanted some of her Iris
My Moms favorite flower was large spider mums
Mine is Hydrangea !!!!!love them big blue ones

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Iris's were my Mom's favorite flower and I am so glad I have a couple of hers at my home. And to think I use to not like them!

Salmagundi said...

The iris around here seem to be extra special this year - mine are waist high. Your peach color one is really pretty!! Sally

Linda W. said...

Your flowers are gorgeous! I especially like the peach colored ones. Great photos.

Paulette said...

The peach and lavender Iris is amazing! My mother loved pansies and every time I see them I think of her and her flower garden of pansies at the side of our house.

Cranberry Morning said...

How beautiful! I can't wait for my irises to bloom.

The Old Parsonage said...

Funny I just cut purple ones for the kitchen this week. Yep, we call them flags too.

Leann

Babs said...

Your flags are gorgeous...love the mini peach one. I have some yellow ones, but they aren't a pretty yellow, and my purple ones haven't bloomed in a year or so. Pitiful. Do you do anything special to yours?

Rita C at Panoply said...

Beautiful, Jann. I had never heard of irises being called flags, but I bet your thoughts of your mother referring to their bloom time is spot on. My sister's MIL (who would've been near 90 now) always called Sedum (Autumn Joy) "depression" plant, in reference to the sadness of being one of the last of the garden's plants before winter came. Have a wonderful weekend!
Rita

Creations By Cindy said...

Well your FLAGS are beautiful lady! Happy Memorial Day!
Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Debbie said...

Oh your iris are gorgeous! My Mom loved iris, too...they always make me think of her. Another flower that reminds me of Mom is Sweet Peas...she told me she had a corsage of Sweet Peas when she made her confirmation...back in the 1930s.
Thanks for the memories!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Three flowers bring Momma to mind:

lilacs, lily of the valley and something we called Dutchman's Breetches - a wildflower in the woods where I grew up, rare, delicate that arrived announcing spring.

Ah, Mom. Oh she was my favorite gardener of all time.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend, Jann. Hugs.

Vintage Paint and more... said...

My father's favorite flower was the iris and my mother's was the rose. When we lived in the midwest I had a memory garden of roses and irises that was so pretty - as we rent here I have not replicated that garden... Your irises are so lovely.... Cathy

Susie said...

Jann, Your irises are beautiful. I have some white ones ready to bloom . :) Blessings for a great weekend, xoxo,Susie

ellen b. said...

Beautiful Irises. I just planted two rosebud azaleas in honor of my mother.

Cindy DIY beautify said...

Your irises are beautiful! This is the first time I've ever heard them called flags! Interesting!

NanaDiana said...

Oh- I do love irises! Ours haven't even begun to bud yet- we are so late this year.

As far as why they are called flags- here is what it says about them:
Only German Iris are referred to as "Flag Iris." It's because they have four petals up and four down. The French Fleur de lis is based on them.

My aunt always called them flags, too, I think that was the older generations way of referring to all irises.

Wonderful post! xo Diana

Sarah said...

Jann, all of my iris have finished blooming for the season. Wish I could stretch them longer, but have to say this year they gave the best show ever.
Yellow roses remind me of my sweet mother.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Micupoftea said...

Gorgeous flowers, Jann! Your garden must be lovely. Happy Memorial Day. Enjoy the last days of May! :)

Maria Elena said...

Your flowers look amazing. How beautiful!Happy Memorial Day!

Kmcblackburn said...

The iris always reminds me of my mom. She use to have rows and rows of them planted in our yard. I always called her "Queen of the Iris". Lovely photos.

Rose L said...

I do notice the inside! I have taken some wonderful photographs of irises as well as many other plants. I like the delicate intricacy inside, the details and color. God was a master in this!
My photos are in my many blog posts.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jann,
Thanks for the visit!!

My irises are finally blooming here too!! So pretty!!

Have a great Holiday weekend!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Cynthia said...

Jann what a beautiful post about your mom and her love for the Iris. You have a beautiful collection growing.

Cynthia

Tea in the Library said...

I found this on why iris's are called flags. " Only German Iris are referred to as "Flag Iris." It's because they have four petals up and four down. The French Fleur de lei is based on them."

Fran. said...

Oh so pretty!! XOXO Love Fran.

Fran said...

I have the same variegated Iris, it's one of my favorites but mine is nowhere near as spectacular as yours!!! I only get about 3 stems of Irises blooming, but I love the foliage. When we bought our first house, there was a very large patch of Irises that my mom used to call "Blue Flags." I like your description of them resembling a flag unfurling! :) --Fran

Instagram