Irises and Cicadas

Oh, my, we spent the morning, despite the in-and-out-rain at the Presby Iris Garden, Montclair, NJ–gorgeous!!!! Although it’s named in honor of a man, a woman–Barbara Walther–was the driving force in establishing the spectacular iris garden. Born in Chicago in 1881, Walther graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in botany.  She lived in Montclair from 1918 until her death at the age of 96.  While there, I spotted a plaque on a stone dedicating “Flowering ‘Malus’ Trees to Sarita F. Oliphant, covered with cicadas in various stages of hatching!!!! Here some pictures, including one of a cicada pulling itself out of its shell.  

#cicadas #gardens #irises