-04_April 24, 2012 - Hellebores and Iris.htm

Mother’s Garden in Georgia – April 24, 2012

In Honour of the Mother’s final arrival in Pondicherry, April 24, 1920

Hellebores and Iris

The Lenten Rose (Helleborus) are about to scatter their seeds in shady areas throughout Mother’s Garden. They have become a special delight for me as they are in bloom throughout the winter and still blooming when I return from the Ashram in March. The flowers are modest, usually nodding, and subtle in their colour range. New colours appear frequently as the plants, much like my beloved Plumerias (Psychological Perfection) do not come true from seed. Although the books tell us that a moist area is best it seems that hellebores do well almost anywhere if there is shade. I am trying some double varieties for the first time this year. The progeny are said to be always double although the colours will be varied. Can anyone tell us their spiritual significance?

Shown with seed pods.

It is a special gift to the world that gardeners in all parts of the world love flowers and some devote their lives to the hybridizing of one genus. This has given us riches Nature might have taken centuries to produce and even then might not have exceeded the beauty created by man’s collaboration with her.

Some plants are easy to pollinate and the results of breeding can often be seen in a year or two. However, a rose takes seven years from seed to flower and only the smallest percentage will be superior to the parent. I am moved by the dedication of all who love flowers and aspire to

increase their beauty, hardiness, adaptability, insect and disease resistance, etc.

This question was asked of Mother: “You have written:

“Love of flowers is a valuable help for finding and united with the psychic.” Could you explain this more in detail?

“Since flowers are the manifestation of the psychic in the vegetal kingdom, love of flowers would mean that one is drawn by the psychic vibration and consequently by the psychic in one’s own self.

When you are receptive to the psychic vibration that put you in a more intimate contact with the psychic in your own self. Perhaps the beauty of flower too is a means used by nature to awaken in human beings the attraction for the psychic.”

Lastly, this very important question and Mother’s inspiring reply:

“What is the best way of opening ourselves to the deep influence of flowers?”

Mother: “To love them. If you can into psychic contact with them, then that would be perfect.”

Mother’s words are echoed by Max Schling, A much admired florist and seedsman who owned a shop in New York City in the early 1900’s. He wrote The Book of Indoor Gardening and is fondly remembered for his quotations.

“The love of flowers is really the best teacher of how to grow and understand them.” – Max Schling

Each day I see new iris opening and the great show is still to come! There are so many types of iris and all vibrate with the significance given to us by The Mother, Aristocracy of Beauty. There are many booksdevoted to the different iris, Japanese, Bearded, Louisiana, (native to southeastern United States),Spuria, Siberian, Dutch, and more. The Louisiana iris grow well in Mother’s Garden as they, along with the Japanese iris whose breath-taking colours and huge blooms are the Garden’s masterpiece in June, want plentiful moisture and are happiest at the edge of the lake and even in the water. With the warm weather the Siberian iris are in bloom and the tall bearded are offering their first stunning displays.

The history of the iris is fascinating. The Greek word for iris is ‘rainbow’ and the goddess, Iris, who legend says had golden wings and was the messenger between heaven and earth.The iris is also said to be the flower of Juno and the model for the sceptre, the staff used as an emblem of royal authority. One can see the three petals on the forehead of the sphinx, symbols of wisdom, valour and faith.

The other day I fertilized more than one hundred and fifty clumps of Japanese iris that will produce up to 1000 blooms this year. The iris family is classified under iridaceae. There is one member of the family that also vibrates with the message Aristocracy of Beauty. It is Dietesiridioides a lovely form and colour combination. It is pictured near the end of this article.

Shown below is a sampling of iris grown in Mother’s Garden, truly a rainbow of colours but even more, symbols of Aristocracy of Beauty.

Here is Mother’s comment on the significance She gave to the iris.