Elaine Shafran’s Majestic Bearded Irises

Reader Elaine Shafran has been growing bearded irises for 20 years.

“Why I love this time of year: My favorite flowers, the majestic bearded irises that I have been growing for 20 years, which started with one potted tuber from a nursery, and have been divided over the years to fill my 70-foot-long garden path, are in full bloom in defiance of the grey skies, high winds and inclement weather.”

—Elaine Shafran