This is a story about Darby and Cyndar –  out collecting wildflower seeds to regenerate the beauty of the wilderness areas of Colorado, a little closer to home…

Darby and Cyndar have many things in common – that’s what makes them friends.  They also differ in many ways – that’s what makes for interesting conversation.  They are different and they are alike.  One thing is certain.  They are not boring or dull.  Whenever they are together there is always a debate about “things”.  Things like, “is there such a thing as too much butter in a recipe”, or chocolate being its own food group, or is it worth it to drive all the way over to ‘here’ or ‘there’ to get a certain item or to do without.  Child rearing, money, travel, exercise, work, fruit and vegetables, reading vs audio books, love the kids no matter what or is this a weed or a flower…

They may differ on any or all of these things, but weed vs flower is yet again, another debate that they may never solve.  Ying vs Yang. Trash or treasure?

Darby and Cyndar love to garden.  They love wildflowers in all colors and varieties.  They love to cook with fresh herbs.  They both garden with love and enthusiasm.  While Cyndar talks to her plants and flowers to help them grow, Darby is dilligent and methodic about soil and fertilizer.  They share plants – one has too many of one thing, it is given to the other, back and forth, all summer long.  “Here you can have this.” and “Would you like to have some of this?” and “I grew this for you” and “This might look good there”.  It is sharing.  It is communication.  It is a shared love of nature.  It is a bond on multiple levels.

So, if you should see Darby and Cyndar out somewhere in an opesn field or each other’s yard, collecting seeds, just let them be.  They love and appreciate this bond with nature. They love and appreciate this gift of flowers and friendship.  The “seeds” they take are always regenerated.  Cultivated.  Nurished.  Loved.  Appreciated.

They are blessed.

Disclaimer:  Be sure to check with authorities before you take seeds.  Different national forests may rules and/or permits to take seeds.  Always ask your neighbor first!!!

From mid May to mid June there is something extraordinary going on in Denver Colorado.  There’s an Iris “Festival” at Iris 4 U Gardens.  I found this quite by accident.  It was one of those right side of the screen advertisements on one of my regular internet sites.  I don’t usually click on those, but the title was intriguing – something like Denver Iris something with a beautiful picture.  Well, I love to garden and we do have Grandma’s irises in our garden which bring us such joy every year when they bloom – so this little ad called to me.

So, it was one of these spontaneous day trips that we so love to take.  The very next day we took the short trip to Denver and buried in a very regular neighborhood is this amazing garden and it’s HUGE.  The entire garden is dedicated to bearded irises or as I call them  ruffled.  They’re in all sizes and colors and hybrids of all kinds. They stopped me dead in my tracks – OMG!!!  They are so beautiful!

I tried to figure out which colors are my favorites – a fun game at this place!  It will be different for every visitor, but I’m partial to the white/purple/lavender combos.  That’s not to say that the peach/butterscotch ones don’t bring a smile!  There’s something here for everyone who loves flowers to enjoy.

I noticed other photographers and a gentleman painting.  There are plenty of chairs and benches to sit and just enjoy the view.  There are folks around to answer your questions and even Iris Bob, the proprietor, walks the garden and visits with guests.  They offer a catalog as you enter so you can find the name of the iris that you would like to purchase when the time of the season is right for the transplanting.  There’s no store, no trinkets for purchase and no pushy sales.  This is a place to enjoy and if you should like to place an order there is a table with a couple of computers to do just that.  Hey – there’s even a rest room!!

We’ve lived in Colorado for nearly 14 years and this little gem was a surprise.  I love surprises like this!  And, I dare say that we’ll make sure we don’t miss it again next year.

You can find Iris 4 U Garden at 2700 West Amherst Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80236  303-789-4747