Soon the flags will be unfurling for Memorial Day.
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.
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?
Notice how the petals are rolled and when they open they resemble the unfurling of a flag. Maybe that’s the reason.
Some of my Iris have yet to unfurl but here’s some that have.
Have you ever looked closely inside?
These mini peach Iris are so sweet. Love them kissed with dew!
This peach and lavender Iris is one of my favorites.
The blooms on this variegated Iris are not large, but the greenery is so pretty!
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:
27 comments
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
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!
The iris around here seem to be extra special this year - mine are waist high. Your peach color one is really pretty!! Sally
Your flowers are gorgeous! I especially like the peach colored ones. Great photos.
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.
How beautiful! I can't wait for my irises to bloom.
Funny I just cut purple ones for the kitchen this week. Yep, we call them flags too.
Leann
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?
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
Well your FLAGS are beautiful lady! Happy Memorial Day!
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
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!
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.
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
Jann, Your irises are beautiful. I have some white ones ready to bloom . :) Blessings for a great weekend, xoxo,Susie
Beautiful Irises. I just planted two rosebud azaleas in honor of my mother.
Your irises are beautiful! This is the first time I've ever heard them called flags! Interesting!
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
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!
Gorgeous flowers, Jann! Your garden must be lovely. Happy Memorial Day. Enjoy the last days of May! :)
Your flowers look amazing. How beautiful!Happy Memorial Day!
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.
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.
Jann,
Thanks for the visit!!
My irises are finally blooming here too!! So pretty!!
Have a great Holiday weekend!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Jann what a beautiful post about your mom and her love for the Iris. You have a beautiful collection growing.
Cynthia
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."
Oh so pretty!! XOXO Love Fran.
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
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