Journal

Iris chrysographes

One of the things I love about gardening is the plants that tell stories - their own stories and those of friendships.

This amazing iris chrysographes came into bloom in my garden yesterday -

I was given the plant a few years ago by my friend Holly and I have been dividing the clumps, so that this year they are beginning to thread through other plants in the way I hoped.

Every time a plant blooms that I have been given by someone I think of them and their generosity and friendship. It is like a special reminder to pick up the phone, put a date in the diary, a connection between gardens and gardeners, a thread of beauty and care.

It was good timing - these iris grow wild along the river banks in Myanmar - one of the countries that I have been researching this week as my youngest daughter is considering it as a gap year destination for 2017-18.

It has diverted me from reading up about political unrest and unsafe vehicles to imagining visiting water meadows flecked with flowers.

Much better to concentrate on delights over danger.

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