A Moment in Time: Cascadia Iris Farm

("Team Player" shown above)

It is a little premature to send you specifically to see the iris garden at Cascadia Iris Farm in Lake Stevens, WA but I want you to know about them and reach out to them if you are looking for a certain variety. If you love iris, there is a moment in time when they are in their glory and I couldn't resist tracking down an iris garden within reach.

I was impulsive and jumped in the car without reading their website, which specifically says there are only certain days that the garden is open. Whoops.
So I tip-toed around and took a few pictures to share. Their website explains a tough transition to their new property and some related crop loss. But they are on their way back and the varieties in their display gardens were healthy and happy. I wish them well and will watch as their business grows.

  ("Marrying Kind" shown above)

#iris #irisgarden #springflowers #seattle #momentsofdelight

Traverse City: Iris Farm

Sometimes finding delight is as simple as being ready to experience a moment when it presents itself. 

When we talked about making plans for our weekend up north for Memorial Day, we acknowledged that a lot depended on whether or not "the iris were in bloom."  For 2 weeks a year, this magnificent field is open to the public and the flowering stalks are available for sale.  The weather, temperature and rain all play a factor in the timing, but it is generally in late May.  After our unpredictable Spring, I wasn't sure what the plants would be doing.

My Mom and I visit the iris farm every time my schedule and the iris sync up.  Eureka! It was another banner weekend!  It was 90 degrees (unheard of! Today it is back to 69) and there were 800 colors of German iris in bloom!  We walked up and down the rows with an open basket and scissors (provided when you check in) and we had an absolute field day (sorry, I couldn't resist) choosing which blooms to pick for our bouquet.  Each stalk is $1 and has many blooms each. 

This was one of my favorites and it is called Toasted Watermelon. You can called the farm at (231) 947-9040 to reserve a plant of your own, I believe people commit to buying a plant now and then they are available to customers in the Fall.  What fun!

One of our arrangements!

Iris Farm

When I mentioned that I had gone to the iris farm someone asked me, "What exactly does that mean?"

The idea of wandering through rows of blooming iris does seem a bit like a fairy tale, doesn't it? Now add in an old barn, perfect weather and a basket overflowing with flowers and it was as if the pages of Mother Goose had been brought to life.

Guests pick up a basket and scissors at the little "iris shop" inside a smaller barn and then are free to wander the farm cutting stalks for a magnificent arrangement. When you are finished, you pay by the stalk and return the supplies. (Tip: Bring a bucket of water in your car to help get these beauties home safely.)

What could me more fun on a perfect June day?

This farm is also where I took the all-white barnyard photograph that I love so much. Love it!