by hankinslawrenceimages | May 21, 2012 | Flowers
What a difference the changes in light can make! The other morning in the course of only 15 minutes I saw some amazing changes in how some bearded irises looked – because as the sun got higher in the sky – it lit the flowers in many different ways. I spotted this set of three bearded irises – still haven’t been able to identify the variety – and as I photographed the first one – I noticed that while it was still in open shade from the nearby plants, the sun was about to start backlighting the flowers in the group. So I just settled in with my tripod and waited. It was wonderful seeing how the look of three flowers changed as the sun changed it’s position and what different photographs I could take at various times.
Here’s the progression of the photos over a span of 15 minutes.
7:49 AM
© 2012 Patty Hankins
8:54 AM
© 2012 Patty Hankins
7:56 AM
© 2012 Patty Hankins
7:57 AM
© 2012 Patty Hankins
8:00 AM
© 2012 Patty Hankins
8:03 AM
© 2012 Patty Hankins
So by any chance – does anyone recognize what type of bearded iris this is? Thanks
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jun 8, 2011 | Flowers, Iridaceae Family
Every spring one of my favorite flowers to photograph at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland are the irises. This year was no different. In addition to the Snake’s Head Iris that I wrote about in April, I’ve photographed several other lovely irises. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed photographing them.
In March, I photographed some early blooming Katherine Hodgekin Irises (iris histrioides). These adorable irises grow in a big cluster in one of the beds at Brookside every spring.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
And then one day in late May I photographed several beautiful irises.
First is Beautiful Visions – a Tall Bearded Iris. In shades of rose, pink and peach – Beautiful Visions adds a spectacular splash of spring color to the garden
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Next is Dorthea K Williamson Iris – a Louisiana Iris. This is the first Louisiana Iris I’ve photographed.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
The final iris I photographed this year at Brookside Gardens was a lovely yellow siberian iris.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
by hankinslawrenceimages | May 3, 2011 | Flowers, Iridaceae Family, Photo of the Month
Tour de France Iris (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I photographed this incredible Tour de France Iris last spring. I just loved the combination of yellow, gold and white in the flower contrasting with the green leaves in the background. The iris was named after the Tour de France and the gold of the petals honors the yellow jersey worn by the leaders during the race.
Until May 30 , 2011, SAVE 20% off the regular prices for Tour de France Iris. The photograph is available through my website in two sizes of gallery-wrapped canvases.
Save $ 11 on the 10X10″ Canvas – regular price $ 55 – May Photo of the Month Price – $ 44.00
Save $ 90 on the 20X20″ Canvas – regular price $ 447 – May Photo of the Month Price – $ 357.00
Free shipping to U.S. Addresses for either size photograph.
As with all photographs from BeautifulFlowerPictures.com, Tour de France Iris comes with my Unconditional Happiness Guarantee. You have one year to decide that it is the perfect photograph for you. If it’s not, just return it (in original condition) for a full refund.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Apr 28, 2011 | Flowers, Iridaceae Family
On a visit to Brookside Gardens earlier this month I was very surprised to see some taller irises already in full bloom. Usually the dwarf irises bloom in March – and then the Bearded Irises bloom starting in May. As I took a closer look at the iris – I realized I’d never seen anything like them before. Fortunately – the staff at Brookside Gardens is really good about putting up signs identifying the plants – and there was one for these irises. They were Snake’s Head Irises (Hermodactylus tuberosus).
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Originally native to Yugoslavia, Turkey & Greece, Snake’s Head Irises have been cultivated since the late 1500s. The flowers are very unusual with shades of green and a very dark purple – almost black. Also known as widow’s irises, they are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
Snake’s Head Irises grow from tuberous root shaped somewhat like a hand. The latin name for the flowers refers to Hermes – messenger of the Gods and to finger like shape of the roots.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
These unusual flowers do well in Alpine & Rock gardens. They are hardy from USDA Zones 7a to 9b and grow to about 12 – 18″ tall. They should not be eaten since parts of the plants are poisonous.
(c) 2011 Patty Hankins
More information about Snake’s Head Irises is available at
Dave’s Garden
Pacific Bulb Society
Paghat’s Garden
Planting Flower Bulbs
The Telegraph
by hankinslawrenceimages | May 25, 2010 | Flowers, Iridaceae Family, New Photos
Tour de France Bearded Iris (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I’ve just added a new photo – Tour de France Bearded Iris – to my Beautifulflowerpictures.com website.
I just photographed this iris a week ago at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. I loved the contrast of the bright white and bold gold of the petals against the dark greens and reds of the leaves of other plants in the garden. It is one of the most spectacular irises I’ve ever seen. The iris was named after the Tour de France and the gold of the petals honors the yellow jersey worn by the leaders during the race.
This photograph is available as either a 10X10″ gallery-wrapped canvas. You can order Tour de France Bearded Iris from my website and I will have it available at shows this year.
