Beauty lies in the iris of the beholder

“Imagine ... if you can ... “

John Lennon

“Irises come forth like the belles of the day ... “

Thomas Jefferson

The daily challenge of maintaining familial and business relationships had become wearisome. As had the never-ending conspiracy theories concerning development in Laguna. Awareness had become exhausting.

Catharine suggested that I take a break, forget about others’ naked self-interest and focus on myself. I opted for a neighborhood walk and found myself drifting toward the beach.

I paused for a moment at Anita’s English Garden and immediately spotted the arrangement of irises on display. In mythology they represent one’s suffering without awareness.

Iris was the goddess of the rainbow. Her iridescent bridge led the departed to the next life. As the personal messenger of Zeus and Hera, she also connected the thoughts of gods to mortals.

In medieval times, the iris became the emblem of French kings. Legends hold that flag irises showed the Frankish king, Clovis, the path of victory over the Goths. Later, Louis VII’s banner was called fleur de Louis, which in turn became fleur-de-lis. Its abstract form has been widely used as a motif in many types of art.

The iris is also important as a religious flower. Its trinity of petals and sword-like leaves are significant symbols to the faithful. The leaves represent the pain Mary felt with her son’s sufferings.

Long a garden favorite, because of their beautiful color and exquisite forms, the 300 identified species are distributed throughout the temperate world, including Laguna. Unlucky Costa Rica and other tropical locales are the only places where they cannot be grown.

Irises can be used in many garden situations, whether as a single accent or as a member of a mixed perennial border. Many Laguna gardens find them combined with daylily, sunrose, and lavender. All these plants grow easily and provide an extended blooming period.

Although most garden soil will support irises, well-drained and fertile soils will yield particularly good results. Provide full sunlight and expect flowers to appear mainly in the spring or early summer.

Making my way home I mused, “what difference will it make if our library is painted brown or gray?” Or if someone’s home is larger or of a different style than our own? I imagined at that moment, one day we might put aside our petty differences, and celebrate the joys of living in Laguna. See you next time.

* Steve Kawaratani is happily married to local writer, Catharine Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached at 949.497.2438, or E-mail to [email protected]

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