Daughter carries on family iris tradition

Iris are in bloom. One backyard in Superior is bordered by an array of colors of this flower. Janice Smidt is continuing the tradition of raising these colorful flowers. When Janice's grandparents moved to Superior, they brought some iris bulbs with them to mark the property lines of their place. On the family farm, Janice's aunt, Irma Grummert, started thinning the over abundance of the lavender and white iris. She brought iris to Mildred Black, Janice's mother, who planted them in her yard. She also lined the interior perimeter of her wooden fence with iris bulbs when she lived in Superior years ago. When Mildred was no longer able to care for her flowers, Janice moved the iris bulbs to her home on Kansas Street. Five years ago, Janice moved to Commercial Street. She brought with her the iris bulbs and transplanted them lining her own back yard four rows deep.

All the iris bulbs were given to Mildred and Janice. Friends have contributed to her love of the flowers adding iris of yellow and various shades of pink to the mix. Janice said she is fortunate to have friends help her relocate the many bulbs assist with the weeding and dead heading of the flowers so the bed is always green in the summer. While she works at cleaning her flowers, Janice's dog, Marnie, keeps her company and alerts her if someone is nearby.

There are more than 100 iris marking the border of Janice's back yard. Many of the iris bulbs are more than 60 years old. The iris are a family tradition that lives on.