Out of nothing

comes this fleeting flower.

Iris cretensis is a miniature version of the more commonly grown winter flowering iris, Iris unguicularis. The latter is sometimes called the Algerian Iris.

Todays beauty arises from a thin tangle of old, dry leaves and a few almost grass-like new ones. It needs a hot, dry site to thrive and in the UK even then may only send up flowers sparingly.

The flowers only last a couple of days in warm weather but I think they are worth waiting for!