Longtime local Doris Jones doesn’t consider herself a
”
greenthumb,
”
but the 2,000 irises in her back yard tell a different
story.
Longtime local Doris Jones doesn’t consider herself a “greenthumb,” but the 2,000 irises in her back yard tell a different story.
Jones, now retired, caught the “iris virus” from a friend about 10 years ago. Now, her garden boasts nearly 300 varieties of irises with names like “Starship Enterprise” and “Stairway to Heaven.” Just about every color of iris is represented in her back yard, from dark blue to radiant red, and the flowers are now at full bloom.
“I’m absolutely addicted,” she said. “But I’m not the only one.”
Indeed, she is not. The American Iris Society has 5,350 members worldwide. Although membership in the society is declining, Jones does her best to spread the virus. Last year she sold rhizomes at the local Farmer’s Market. And those who visit her colorful back yard garden probably won’t walk away empty-handed.
“I enjoy showing off my garden because I’ve spent so much time in it,” Jones said. “I want to share it with everyone.”
And her garden keeps getting bigger and more colorful every year.
“I order more and more each year,” Jones said.
Irises, which can grow in virtually any climate, require little maintenance. California AIS regional vice president Lynn Williams said that is what makes the flowers so popular.
“The really fun thing about irises is that they are easy to grow and look spectacular,” she said.
For Jones, growing beautiful, fragrant irises is about indulging in her passion.
“I did it for kicks,” she said. “And I’ll keep doing it until I breathe my last breath.”
