I’ll snip one for you!
My friend and I were walking along the path behind our condo building last week. We had been deadheading some sad looking daffodils and stopped to admire a mass of iris. She and her husband had saved these bulbs from their previous home and stealthily planted them next to our building 3 years ago. As many of you know, iris spread…and spread. When you live in a condo, you sometimes have to get permission to plant anything. And when you’ve been a “house owner” for decades, it’s an unpopular concept. What could be wrong with sprucing up the place with some iris? Believe me, there are people who will count the ways. But don’t get me started.
Anyway, I am so grateful these purple iris spring from the ground each May. They are exactly like the iris I left behind at the house we sold almost 5 years ago. Iris that originated in my great grandmother’s garden decades and decades before. When you move in December, digging holes to plant iris bulbs is not an option.
So when my friend whipped out her scissors to cut off a small branch, I hesitated. It didn’t seem right somehow. They were so happy in the sun, swaying gently in the breeze. She was holding a stem with one flower and several buds all lined up together. Shouldn’t they be allowed to stay put? But before I knew it, she snipped.
I brought it inside, filled a bud vase with water and flower food and hoped for the best. After several days in its new home near a sunny window, the buds opened…one by one. Much to my relief and delight.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 
I know how you feel about the restrictions since I live in an HOA. I had the house painted recently without contacting the HOA since the paint is the same color…
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Yes, it’s a bit much sometimes. I’m on the board now which adds another layer of stress.
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Maybe you can convince them to change some of the rules…
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I wish! They are under state regs which oversee the By-Laws.
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OK, that’s what I thought. It’s the same thing here in Nevada and my HOA.
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This iris is simply beautiful. 😀 😀
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Thank you! I am enjoying it. 🙂
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These beauties grow in front of my house. 🙂 I don’t cut them.
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Lucky you! I didn’t cut them when we lived in our house. It never occurred to me. They belonged outside in the fresh air with their iris buddies! 😊
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So beautiful, love the colors!
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Thank you Amy! I was pleased that the light cooperated.
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Such beauty!
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Thank you V.J.! I really like this variety of iris. 🙂
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Agreed!
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Such a lovely presentation of this unique flower. The shadow effect is really beautiful, Andrea. ❤
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Thank you Olga. I am a big fan of shadows and always feel lucky to catch them in photos. I think they add another dimension. 🙂 (Thanks also for your other comment 😉)
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