Spring spurs spuria irises
The spuria irises have sprung! Their burnt gold, droopy-petaled flowers perch atop tall stems, surrounded by slender, sword-shaped leaves, sheltered under a crape myrtle canopy.
Their distinctive color pops against a green backdrop.
They glow behind mauve, fleshy ‘Fiercely Fabulous’ mangave.
They make a golden filling between gray stained deck stairs and gray sinuous crape myrtle trunks. ‘Little Grapes’ gomphrena‘s button-like, magenta flowers add subtle contrast in the foreground.
The bluebonnets and redbuds and plums are over. Middle spring is upon us here in Central Texas. I’m happy to see the spurias return once again.
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Digging Deeper
Experience the Surreal Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden, an enchanting neon-art display throughout the gardens, with food and drink, music and dancing, surreal performers, and interactive art sculptures. Surreal costumes encouraged! 25% of event proceeds benefit the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy. Runs April 6 (VIP Night), April 7-8, and April 13-15, from 6:30 pm to 11 pm.
Add to your succulent collection at the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society Spring Show & Sale on April 15 and 16, from 10 am to 5 pm, at Zilker Botanical Garden. Come enjoy the plant show, shop for unique plants and pottery, and participate in a silent auction and raffles. Free with paid admission to Zilker Botanical Garden.
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!
All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
They’re gorgeous!! I’m sure you’re glad you persevered!
They are putting on a good show this year!
My golden Spurias are late season bloomers and haven’t started blooming yet. They are great for extending the Iris season.
I have a bearded iris, but it tends to bloom late. No sign of buds so far on that one.
I’d love to have an Iris with a flower color like that. Sunset Western Garden Book says that Spuria Iris have naturalized in parts of the west but I’ve never seen this species anywhere here. Maybe I need to look further afield 😉
That would be pretty to see wild spurias.
These are really lovely irises Pam! I’m going to research to find their growing zone to see if I can add some to my wide variety of irises. Such a lovely addition to your garden. How long does their “season” last??
I’d say a few weeks if the temperature doesn’t turn too hot.
I like how you described this bloom color as “burnt gold”.
It makes an interesting photographic exercise, using the same focal point from different angels and distances: the same spuria iris clump creates a new vignette from changing angels.
Yes, it does! You see something different every time you move around a plant for a new perspective.