DO YOU HOLD A CERTAIN FLOWER in reverent respect?
Perhaps you appreciate the first daffodils of spring erupting in bursts of yellow through a too-long colorless winter landscape.
Or you delight in the petals of a red tulip unfolding. I remember how my eldest daughter, as a preschooler, surmised that the tulips were opening their mouths. I’ve never thought of tulips in quite the same way since her astute observation. Now I see blood red lips.
I’ve always loved daisies. Perhaps it is the seventies flower child in me emerging or my focus on simplicity and non-extravagance. When I married 33 years ago, the humble daisy was an integral part of bouquets.
Peonies remind me of yesteryear. These massive bushes weighed with lush blossoms of fragrant pinks are the flowers of our grandmas.
And then there are irises, in full bloom now here in southern Minnesota. They remind me of my sweet mom, who loves irises.
Isn’t it this way with so many things in life? We treasure something because of the memories held therein.
IN FARIBAULT, RIGHT NOW, hundreds of irises are blooming along a corner lot at Minnesota Highway 60 and Shumway Avenue. What a wonderful gift to my community from this east-side resident:
Irises stretch the length of the property along a section of Minnesota Highway 60.
The irises are in assorted colors and styles.
On the Shumway Avenue side, more irises.
Lots of irises like this mix with other purple flowers.
Beautiful masses of irises.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Holy Wowie!
So beautiful! & I love that it’s like an offering to the community
great observation about memory… Infused with/by loved ones
Marney, you have a way with words that is almost indescribably beautiful. I’m sure memories are lingering in your hours these days.
Thank you Audrey
It was your post, your words which sparked mine.
Yes – memories always seem to be present. It’s a practice to notice them, and find myself Here at the se time
I like almost all flowers; it would be impossible to pick a favorite because each new wave of blooms makes me think I have a new favorite. I love iris, especially their subtle scent. I also love peonies because they are so lushly over the top. All your photos are lovely.
Thank you.
Absolutely love your flower photos! And yes, the iris are amazing this year, I think. So lovely, all of them.
Thank you. My iris are the best they’ve ever been.
After all that snow and ice, how lovely to have so much colour coming from the gardens. I think the peonies are my favourite but how lovely to have those irises growing along the nature strip xx
Yes, flowers are always welcome after winter. Maybe that’s why we appreciate them so much in Minnesota.
Every single photo in this story reminds me of flower beds so lovingly tended at both Mom and Dad’s and my grandparents. Both Dad and Grandpa would pick bouquets for their ladies. The ladies did the tending and occasionally the men would pick a bouquet for them.
What a sweet story, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Those Iris photo’s are beautiful, so many vibrant colors, I bet they are a sight to behold while driving along that stretch of hwy 60. My favorite are the Zinnias, I plant them from seed every year around my front tree. I have fresh cut flowers from mid summer until the frost 🙂
Zinnias are my favorite cut flower, too, Jackie. I planted some on the corner by the stop sign. Hopefully they won’t be run over by vehicles jumping the curb, as often happens.
Stunning pictures that capture the essence of spring and their fragrances. My favorite still remains spring lilacs and summer sunflowers..
Thank you, Sue. Ah, yes, lilacs, as you know, are also one of my favorite flowers of spring.
Audrey you know me, I love the Iris! What beautiful and gorgeous blooms – oh my! I’ve been re-working my beds and making a much larger bed for mine. The peonies were my Mom’s favorite and as a child I do remember those beautiful blooms. Great pics.
Yes, I knew iris are your fav. My Mom’s too.