For the early bloom they provide, my new favorite plants are miniature dwarf bearded iris. My friend, Sally, got me hooked on these. The yellow-gold, white, and pumpkin-colored plants are gifts from her garden. The pale yellow and purple variety comes courtesy of my friend Donna's garden.

Bearded irises are identified by thick, bushy "beards" on each of the falls (lower petals) of the blossoms. Originally, most bearded irises were native to central and southern Europe. Some bearded irises are "rebloomers", blooming again in the summer, fall or winter.

The smallest of the bearded iris class is the miniature dwarf bearded. These irises grow no taller than 8 inches. They usually have small and dainty flowers that measure from 1.6" - 3" wide. The miniatures are typically are the first bearded irises to bloom in the spring and also have little or no branching.

Road trip!  "Pork and Plants" is a plant nursery tucked away in the coulees of Altura, Minnesota. It's a family-run business and everything they sell is grown on-site. (Good news for northern gardeners.) Pork and Plants started out as "word of mouth" only and the business has grown immensely over the years.

The drive was scenic and relaxing. We were welcomed by a Keurig coffeemaker and some awesome Green Mountain coffee. This hit the spot on a 45 degree, overcast, windy day in May. The well-organized nursery is filled to the brim with unique gifts and gardening needs in addition to annuals and perennials.

I purchased a lightweight pitchfork, and a Mammoth Yellow Quill garden mum, hybridized by the University of Minnesota to withstand -30 degree winters.  Of course I couldn't walk away without a daylily memento. I bought "Moussaka" (Heemskerk, 2011) a 22" white with a ruffled purple edge. I can be assured that both of these plants will acclimate easily to my garden. A very enjoyable day!

Check out their website:
http://www.porkandplants.com/

It's wonderful to be outside again and to stay warm while being there!

2014 Plant Sale......check
Winter coat, sweater and Gore-Tex hiking boots.....check
Dodged the rain.....check
Homes for all my plant babies.....check
Exhausted......check!

Despite the VERY cold, windy and rainy weather as of late, I was lucky to even have a plant sale! Fortunately, the few nice days that did come along, I happened to be off work so I was able to dig. (Thanks Ange for the helping hand!) The plants didn't look as big or lush as they usually do this time of year, but they'll come around.

I met lots of neat people and it was fun to hear how some of my former plants are doing that I have sold in years past. I hope, along the way, to create some new daylily converts.

My plant sale proceeds will go right back into daylily purchases when I attend the annual WI Daylily Society Sale in Madison. I'm looking forward to it -- my "wish list" is ready and waiting!