The Iris and the Milkweed

The yard has lots of surprises. Oh, some of the stuff is not a huge surprise. I simply look forward to them and then find myself bedazzled when they show up. But the truth is, I knew they were out there and it was just a matter of waiting.

The milkweed is more like the latter because it is known full well the roots are under the ground in a particular place just hanging out and every year, every year they show up and generally act as a weed. Now, usually a few of them get to stay around, not becoming victims of the sling blade because, while they are weed like---intruders on what I think should be in my yard, milkweed do, in fact, produce a very unusual and intriguing plant. They have a bad rap sheet because they are not grass or are they a cultivated, snooty ornamentals fit for self-important royalty. Maybe suitable for low life, easily impressed scumbags and jackpine savages. I like them.

It is not just the milky juice found in the plant, but mostly the flower and the resulting seed pod the is worth attention. The plant is large, robust, nice to touch, welcomes the larva of the Monarch butterfly, and makes for a natural toy for a human larva--that would be our grandson. Once the pods are mature, all the punk kid needs to do is break open the hardened pod and out comes seeds that can be blown all over town much to the dismay of most yard-perfect citizens.


I guess the surprise part of it is that it can be eaten in early spring. Cut the young shoots off, or even later the young pods, boil them in three waters, each time dumping the water, cover them in a touch of butter, a pinch of sea salt and bingo---milkweed greens. They are rather like nettles but don't sting when you pick them (and you do not have to be French). I know, easily impressed but come the revolution-----.



Now, this Iris was a real surprise. We brought it from Colorado on moving, given to us in a bag of assorted bulbs. It had never bloomed here, distraught and confused from the move I suspect. But this year feeling more content, well watered and comfortable in the front garden, it stepped forward in a coming out celebration. No, no it is not a gay flower, more like a coming out party for a young person stepping into high society. No mater how one looks at it, it was a surprise and a dandy one at that.