When It's Iris Time in Tennessee

I am grateful to work in a small town. When I take a break or go to lunch, I am within walking distance of cute little neighborhoods and even some historic homes. When the weather is agreeable, I enjoy taking a stroll and looking at all the trees and flowers. I have especially enjoyed everyone's lilacs, wisteria, and cherry trees this spring.

One sight that I'm enjoying is all the irises which are now beginning to bloom. No wonder this is Tennessee's state flower.

Both of my grandmothers grew irises. My mother grew irises when I was a young girl. My stepmother grows irises. When my husband and I got married, we were given some iris rhizomes from the beds of each of my grandmothers and my stepmother - we now grow those flowers. (My stepmother has also promised me some of her peonies - I can hardly wait for those!)

Yes, for those who are keeping score, I realize that we can't eat irises. They are just so beautiful and bring so much joy that I can't fault anybody for growing them. Plus, they're really low maintenance and don't have huge water requirements, so they're not nearly as frivolous as growing "disposable" annual flowers purely for ornamentation.

And... all work and no play makes Jill a dull girl. There, I said it. Irises are pretty and I enjoy looking at them. When I see an iris, I can't help but feel better.

Here are some pictures of some of the irises I've seen during my excursions in the past few days...



"When It's Iris Time in Tennessee"
Adopted as one of Tennessee's Official State Songs in 1935. Written by Willa Waid Newman.

First Verse
Sweetness of Spring memories bring
Of a place I long to be
Land of Sunshine calls this old heart of mine,
Come back to Tennessee

Chorus
When it’s Iris time down in Tennessee,
I’ll be coming back to stay
Where the mockingbird sings at the break of day
A lilting love song gay
Where the Iris grows,
Where the Harpeth flows,
That is where I long to be
There’s a picture there that lives in memory
When it’s Iris time in Tennessee

Second Verse
Rocks and the rills deep tinted hills,
There's no spot so dear to me
Where'er I roam still it's my Home Sweet Home,
My own, my Tennessee

Chorus
When it’s Iris time down in Tennessee,
I’ll be coming back to stay
Where the mockingbird sings at the break of day
A lilting love song gay
Where the Iris grows,
Where the Harpeth flows,
That is where I long to be
There’s a picture there that lives in memory
When it’s Iris time in Tennessee