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Foothill iris farm open for visitors

Bluebird Haven Iris Garden in south El Dorado County wine country

Sacramento Digs Gardening
PUBLISHED MAY 7, 2021

Gazebo with many pink, white, yellow irises in the foreground

Bluebird Haven in Somerset features more than 100,000 bearded irises in bloom. (Photo courtesy Mary Hess)

Here’s another little road trip that will delight flower fans (including moms).

Bluebird Haven Iris Garden is now in full bloom with more than 100,000 bearded irises flying their colorful flags.

Located at 6940 Fairplay Road in Somerset, Bluebird is about an hour’s drive east from Sacramento in the wine country of southern El Dorado County.

“Bluebird Haven Iris Garden is a Victorian show garden in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California,” explains owner Mary Hess. “An acre of landscaped iris, daffodils, wildflowers, and a variety of shrubs and trees are surrounded by acres of row-cultivated iris.”

“This year, we plan to be open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for four weekends starting April 28 and the last day will be May 23, depending on bloom,” says Hess. “Usually the first or second weekend in May is our peak bloom time.”

Admission is $5 per person. Kids under 12 admitted free. Due to COVID-19, plan to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing.

Hess sells her irises, too. Bring paper and pencil (or pen) to jot down your favorite varieties, then place your order via her website, www.bluebirdhavenirisgarden.com .

Hess started her iris garden in 1967. She’s been planting more varieties, often by the dozen, every year ever since and now has hundreds in every color and combination imaginable.

“Our garden features a Victorian gazebo, park benches, paths for viewing and selecting your favorite irises, and picnic tables for a leisurely lunch,” Hess said on her website. “We have a wide selection of outstanding iris varieties for you to choose from, featuring both antique and moderns.”

Hess invites visitors to enjoy her bountiful garden.

“We will have scattered benches and a few tables to sit at in family groups but there are no trash cans here for your garbage,” she notes. “Pack it in, pack it out. ”

Questions? Call 530-620-5017.

Driving time from Sacramento is about one hour. Here are the directions, according to Hess: “From Sacramento, take Highway 16 east to Plymouth. Follow the signs to River Pines via E16 by turning right at the roundabout in Plymouth, stay on the main road, Highway 16. Turn right onto Fairplay Road, and watch for our sign.”

Details: www.bluebirdhavenirisgarden.com .

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garden tour gardening Sacramento family events events El Dorado County spring irises flowers

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Garden checklist for week of Feb. 8

Dodge those raindrops and get things done! Your garden needs you.

* Start your spring (and summer) garden. Transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.

* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots. Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).

* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.

* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions. Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.

* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.

* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.

* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.

* This is the last chance to spray fruit trees before they bloom. Treat peach and nectarine trees with copper-based fungicide. Spray apricot trees at bud swell to prevent brown rot. Apply horticultural oil to control scale, mites and aphids on fruit trees soon after a rain. But remember: Oils need at least 24 hours to dry to be effective. Don’t spray during foggy weather or when rain is forecast.

* Feed spring-blooming shrubs and fall-planted perennials with slow-release fertilizer. Feed mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.

* Remove aphids from blooming bulbs with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap.

* Fertilize strawberries and asparagus.

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