My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....

My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....