Thursday, April 7, 2011

Hot Enough For June


It's hot here, 27 degrees Celsius at the present time, more like mid June than April and according to the i phone this weather is set to continue until next Wednesday.  Although very welcome this sudden burst of summer weather has caught me unaware, I still have not got round to having a good old waxing session and my winter Wellington clad feet are crying out for a pedicure.  I desperately need to buy some sensible summer shoes for loafing around the garden in, my previous summer shoes all look a bit gone on and I can't really totter round the garden in high heels or towering wedges.  Must pick up a few pairs of espadrilles on my next trip into town, I really was not expecting to buy them so soon!

This balmy weather has sent the growth rate of the flora into overdrive, as I type, I can hear the hums and whirrs or mowers and strimmers in the distance, our lawn desperately needs another cut.  The Crocus are now a distant memory and the Daffodils are on their way out, Wisteria and Lilac are now blooming and Tulips and Irises are raising their heads.


I always think of the Iris as the true national flower of France, The Fleur de Lis was not a lilly but a yellow Iris which grew along the banks of the River Lis, it was during the Middle Ages that the Fleur de Lis started to become linked to the French Monarchy.   I once read somewhere the French traditionally plant Irises along either side of the entrance or main doorways of their property to ward of evil and invite good luck and it is certainly true in this part of France where you often see stunning Irises growing on each side of entrance gates.


The Iris symbolises good news and luck. It is also said its three upright petals symbolize faith, valour, and wisdom.

The iris got its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. She was the messenger of the gods, and would ride on the rainbow to and from Earth in her beautiful, multicoloured robes. She acted as the link between heaven and earth. It is told that irises were planted at the graves of women. People believed that this would summon the goddess to guide the souls in their journey to heaven.


Here in the Pyrenees there are a few native varieties that grow naturally in the wild, conditions are perfect for them.  According to one of our neighbours these one's pictured from our garden are a local variety.  They are ethereal and beautiful and I could not resist cutting a few for the house, indoors and outdoors they make me smile whenever I walk past.


13 comments:

  1. Our spring is now a month late and it snowed last night! I am very envious of summer like conditions!.Your iris are very beautiful...in about 6 weeks I will have lots of them too. Go buy new summer shoes and know that you are on the winning side of climate change. .... greetings from the mountains in Canada! best, Susan

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  2. Beautiful. I'm glad that spring has arrived in your area. The irises are in bloom in Beverly Hills too.

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  3. Interesting post - Here in Burgundy the Iris is not yet out the vigne vierge is just leafing and my glycine starting with this hot weather.

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  4. They are beautiful! What a treat. I love irises and have never been good at growing them.

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  5. The Iris I gorgeous I love that purple colour so rich.. We still have winter never mind spring .. or summer.. I hope it will return again soon xx

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  6. Beautiful photos and a lovely post.
    Thanks for visiting my blog....I am so glad you led me to yours.

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  7. Lovely post! We're also experiencing some nice weather at the moment in Cheshire, although the temperature's still not reached the 20 mark (but as i'm sure you'll know - when you live in England, your expectations for the weather should never be too high!). I made the most of it yesterday and went out to do some work on the trampoline (don't worry i wasn't bouncing haha) as i've been cooped up with a cold and stacks of coursework for days. Not to sound like a proper hippie or anything but the warm, fragrant, summery air is so healing! Too much of too many peoples' lives is spent indoors nowadays...it's unhealthy.

    Lots of love, Lucy :) x

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  8. Beautiful!
    I love irises and had a double border up to the house...scrounged from the tip before it all became respectable and controlled.
    The last couple of years I was in France it seemed as if after winter spring was out of its starting blocks and away like a sprinter...only to be overtaken by summer in quick order...a shame to see it so ephemeral.

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  9. Lucky you that you are having premature summer. We are still very cold and frequently gray as today. I love irises - and was delighted to learn the history of this lovely bloom!

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  10. Your irises are beautiful! I love them.

    Isn't the weather fabulous? I'm absolutely loving it. I had an MOT at the beautician's last week but I'm far too pasty to show anything in public!

    Apparently it's here for the next three days, enjoy xx

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  11. What a purple! Stunningly beautiful. Enjoy them for me, too.

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  12. I am starting to fear Spring is never going to come to Upstate New York, so thank you for these lovely photos. I absolutely adore the last picture -simply beautiful!

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  13. We're also enjoying lovely weather in London. It's so nice to have some sunshine again. Had to love at how the weather has taken you unawares - me too! Am moisturizing daily as my skin is suddenly exposed again!! Those Irises are so beautiful.

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