Maybe. But I really don't care.
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| Kool Aid Irises after a Rain |
In the early 1990's I worked with a woman. Newly hired by our company, she quickly hit it off with all of her co workers, including me.
One day, she brought me some irises dug up from her garden. "For you", she said.
"These are Kool Aid irises", she told me. "When they bloom they will have the most delicious fragrance. Some people liken it to grape kool-aid and others to grape soda. And, on occasion, they have rebloomed for me."
I've grown them ever since. They bloom in late May or early June. Right now, we still have them but maybe for another day or so.
A post from a local garden blogger to the east of me got to thinking exactly what my Kool Aid irises were. Are they, perhaps, a heirloom, like her white irises are?
I wonder if they are Iris pallida. Their roots, along with roots of a couple of other irises, are used to produce "orris root" powder, an ingredient of potpourri. (I haven't made potpourri in years, but it's never too late to start again.)
Heirloom or not, I love my Kool Aid irises. They are hardy, reliable, and deer don't touch them. Although, at one time, we weren't concerned about deer in our urban garden, we've seen deer wandering a block or two away in the past few months. The one thin they've never done for is rebloom, but that would only be a nice bonus from a lovely iris worth having.
My co worker moved out of the area years ago. But I'd like her to know, wherever she is now, that her iris rhizome gifts are still blooming annually for us.
Do you know anything about this kind of iris?
Tomorrow - another post about autism.
They are so pretty... like blue clouds enveloping thd sun rays :)
ReplyDeleteI never heard of the name "Kool Aid" associated with irises but now that you mention it, the color and the packaging seem to work well. Those are beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteDorit Sasson
Giving a Voice to Your Story
www.GivingaVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com
I love all irises but, like you, I've only received them as gifts. I have a whole bunch on the side of my house that continue to bloom each year. I love the idea of a grape smell - so beautiful!
ReplyDeletebeautiful.....wish your co-worker could take a peek at irises....and thank you for sharing my interview! Very grateful!
ReplyDeleteThese irises are really beautiful! And a lovely story that comes along with it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the irises thrived under your car. I must admit, they're my favorite flower. So delicate yet spectacular. And the color brings to mind the image of heaven.
ReplyDeleteOh what gorgeous plants! They're so pretty, aren't they!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI came upon your blog while searching for the elusive kool aid iris. My Mamma & Grandma grew them & I adored them
Now I am trying to find some for my own children to love and enjoy. I would Love to buy some from you of that's ok. Gosh, I thought I had hot the jackpot a couple of years ago when a gardener in TX said she had some. Bought em, planted & next Spring......they were yellow😂. Oh well, feel free to email me @ mysticsun5764@gmail.com
Kindest regards,
Robin
We inherited these Grape iris with the house.. Mrs Benson was a previous owner (c. 1910-2005)and set down the most fabulous gardens I've ever seen.. Most of them buried under 15 years of renters and luckily we have been able to revive much of what she laid down and replacing things, filling in gaps as required ..these are a special gift that popped up 4 years ago!
ReplyDelete