Promise
It’s spring in New England, at least for a little while. Summer vacation is right around the corner. I have a lovely craft post all planned — you’re really going to like it — but between baseball and soccer, baseball and recitals, baseball and concerts and more baseball, I haven’t actually written it yet. (Also, the deadlines. I think of Douglas Adams and his quote “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make when they fly by” often at this time of year.)
But do not despair! I bring you something else. I went for a hike today with a friend (totally necessary for my sanity) and after I stopped by one of my favorite gardens and took pictures. I am sharing them with you, because next week this garden will look totally different. The peonies and the irises — two of the best spring flowers — will be gone, replaced by other, more heat tolerant plants that are lovely in their own way, but don’t share that sense of sheer, exuberant joy, as if they could not wait to burst open. Or maybe I just feel that way because their life span is so brief. Either way, here:
And here:
These are for you.
Did you know that irises are one of the sweetest-smelling flowers? The name comes from the Greek word for rainbow, and the flower signifies courage, faith and hope — the epitome of spring in New England.
As you rush through your own busy days, remember to breathe. Preferably someplace where you can smell the flowers.
I love peonies and irises. I have a coral-colour peony on my balcony. It’s just come into bloom, but you’re right it will be gone in a week.
At my house they often only last a few days, Sevigne — one night I see fat buds and two days later the petals are all over the lawn. Once I went away for a weekend and missed all the flowers on my favorite peony! Coral sounds gorgeous — I have mostly pinks and whites, and one very intense magenta.
After this last thunderstorm, we awoke to find all of our irises laying on the ground. They’re so beautiful, but so fleeting. Like most things, it’s best to appreciate them in the moment.
They remind me of butterflies, Vaughn. I love them.
I used to have a large perennial garden, and irises and peonies were a large component. Enjoy your late spring, Liz. I’d rather think of you having time to smell the flowers than slaving over a post and missing them altogether.