I meant to write about another topic. Actually, two other topics. And then I took pictures of this Iris confusa. You can understand why I had to post these, right? And here I thought I didn’t like Iris that much. When will I learn not to write off a whole category of plants? Does anyone else do that, proclaim disdain for an entire genus–and then get their well-deserved, yet happy comeuppance? I hope I’m not alone.
![Iris confusa, Podophyllum pleianthum, and Euphorbia cyparissias 'Fen's Ruby' in shade planter box.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144546/IMG_1971.jpg)
Strappy leaves, big leaves, and feathery leaves–all cozied up. I get swoony over this grouping. (The planter box was all pansy when we moved in.)
![Planter box with pansies. Not that there's anything wrong with it.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144544/IMG_4242.jpg)
I see pansies described as edible, and though I like the idea, it still makes me nervous–unless I buy expensive pansy blossoms from the produce department. See, it’s a fine logic–which I apparently caught from my daughter.
![A longer look eastward of north-facing shaded planter box.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144545/IMG_1976.jpg)
The photo below is from last year–along the east-facing side of the house. They are glorious when in bloom. But it’s not for very long, and then they’re just okay. Plus I forget to water that section. It’s under the eaves and stays pretty dry, so that’s probably not too good. (The Beware-of-Dog sign came with fence. We’ll definitely get rid of it when the gate falls down.)
![Long row of Iris, east-facing.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144543/IMG_4209_Iris.jpg)
And see that window above that doesn’t match the rest. It’s the garage. The UN feng shui-ness of it super bugs me. Or is that my OCD? Someday when we have spare money…
In truth, I plan to take most of these Iris out, maybe redistributed to other areas of the yard. Interested PDXers or nearby environs, please send up a flare if interested.
![Iris noid. Pretty in bloom.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144542/IMG_9359.jpg)
Meanwhile, everyone is shopping plants and posting on their blogs and Facebook. I’m not really ready to start buy because of all the groundwork I still need to do. But I did manage an excursion to Xera Nursery yesterday–and here’s a sneak peek.
![Xera Nursery in PDX packed with fresh wares.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144541/IMG_20431.jpg)
I bought exactly one plant, because it would have been ridiculous to leave empty handed. I almost hated to spoil their display.
![Sempervivum 'Pacific Zone'. The proprietor Paul tells me they'll stay fuzzy.](https://d17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/01144541/IMG_2031.jpg)
Cheers