Imagine my absolute delight this morning when I stumbled out onto my rooftop to water the plants before work and, lo and behold, I saw these?! I had to blink a few times.
For nearly an enitre year I thought that these were not particularly special or distinct green plants, to be tolerated only because they added some more green to the roof deck and were easy to move around / arrange. The landlord had them on the deck already when we moved in. We were not about to argue with some free green foliage.
Except, um... hello!? They are Japanese irises!
I can't believe it!
These flowers are so incredibly beautiful and delicate and exotic. I can't believe I didn't recognize the telltale flat, broad leaves earlier. I am such a silly gardener!
I immediately ran around to all of the other pots and checked the bud potential on all of the other plants. I realize now that last year there were a ton of these buds, but they were all yellow and dry. The plants must not have received enough water last year to blossom. But lo and behold, this year, they have come out in all their glory.
Separately, you know how I had boasted about how my strawberries are unmolested in Hong Kong? Well, turns out I was completely wrong. Birds here are just smarter than birds in New York. They know to wait until the berry is perfectly ripe before they swoop in to sample the wares.
For weeks now I have been battling this:
This morning I managed to rescue one perfect little berry. It is still a little orange on one side but I know now I cannot leave it on the vine any longer. My yield as a strawberry farmer has been pathetic.
For nearly an enitre year I thought that these were not particularly special or distinct green plants, to be tolerated only because they added some more green to the roof deck and were easy to move around / arrange. The landlord had them on the deck already when we moved in. We were not about to argue with some free green foliage.
Except, um... hello!? They are Japanese irises!
I can't believe it!
I immediately ran around to all of the other pots and checked the bud potential on all of the other plants. I realize now that last year there were a ton of these buds, but they were all yellow and dry. The plants must not have received enough water last year to blossom. But lo and behold, this year, they have come out in all their glory.
Separately, you know how I had boasted about how my strawberries are unmolested in Hong Kong? Well, turns out I was completely wrong. Birds here are just smarter than birds in New York. They know to wait until the berry is perfectly ripe before they swoop in to sample the wares.
For weeks now I have been battling this:
 |
| half gnawed berries hanging sadly on the vine. |
So beautiful!! I'm jealous of your gardening. We seem to kill everything we inherit or plant ourselves. And I love your strawberry crop :).
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