Hondo NM: Popular Iris Farm Prepares to Host Annual Mothers Day Pilgrims
Thousands of Iris ready to *POP* in beautiful Hondo Valley
It's the time of year when hundreds of colors of Iris will all blossom out in a few days and transform Hondo IRIS Farms into riot of beautiful colors.
Hondo, NM: It's that time of year again when a couple of hundred different colors and varieties of Iris will all blossom out within a few days and suddenly transform the popular Hondo Iris Farms into a stunning riot of beautiful colors. And naturally flower lovers from througout New Mexico are already making plans to take mom and grandma and the whole family to Hondo on Mother's Day weekend to fulfill what has become a annual tradition for flower lovers from Roswell, Las Cruces, El Paso, Alamogordo, Albuquerque and even Santa Fe -- choose a few of the most colorful breeds to adorn momma's yard and garden for years to come.
Flower Lovers are making plans to take mom and the family to Hondo on Mother's Day
Hondo's breathtaking Iris Farm is located just 24 miles east of Ruidoso on Highway 70: the location is clearly marked at mile marker 284 with a blue sign pointing to the turn off to the farm alongside the highway. They welcome all visitors and flower lovers from April through September each year.
Their beautiful flower gardens bloom all summer, with trails and pathways, even a short path through the woods, and picnic tables if you want to bring a lunch. There is never an admission charge, and there are provisions for handicapped visitors.
During April, May, and part of June, the gardens are filled with hundreds of blooming Iris: prize winning bearded, Dutch, Spuria, dwarfs, bicolor, and variegated. Visitors, who are so inclined, may order their favorite Iris(s) for August delivery or pick up. During the other summer months, lilies, poppies, wild flowers, and other varieties of native plants are in full bloom.
Visitors are invited to sit and relax on the hummingbird porch, watch hummingbirds and the hundred or so gold fish in the pond, listen to the quiet gurgle of the fountain, and enjoy a panoramic view of the Hondo Valley.
Ladies are invited to borrow one of our Victorian Parasols for their stroll through the gardens.
During the height of the Iris bloom in May, visitors come from hundreds of miles away in all directions to visit the farm, making annual pilgrimages to pick their favorite flowers and shop at the gallery. Each year many visitors comment that their visit to the Iris Farm was the highlight of their trip to southern New Mexico.
The Iris Farm Gallery is located in a 2100 square foot building, part of which is an old shepherds house, made of adobe, and dating back to the late 1800s.
The Iris Farm Gallery is located in a 2100 square foot building, part of which is an old shepherds house, made of adobe, and dating back to the late 1800s. This part of the building, with its hand hewn ceiling beams, interesting architecture, and tile work, is itself worth the visit to the valley. But when you add the beauty of the blooming gardens, it's an espeically delightful visit.
The gallery features the artistry of Alice Warder Seely, a New Mexico artist of Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American descent. (Alice is also the resident horticulturist and, along with the head gardener, is responsible for the Iris Farm and the landscaping.) Alice is a painter, sculptor, and jewelry and textile designer. The gallery features her work along with the work of dozens of other craftspeople from around the world.
The gallerys main entrance features Alices jewelry: hundreds of necklaces, pins, pendants, earrings and decorated boxes. Alice sells her jewelry to over 500 museum gift shops, galleries, national parks, airport stores, and boutiques in the United States and Canada.
The lead free pewter jewelry is hand made at the Iris Farm Annex on Highway 70, at mile marker 286 (open Tuesday-Friday, 8-5, for free factory tours.) All jewelry is available, at both locations, at factory discount prices.
This year the gallery is featuring Alices latest textile designs: wall hangings, pillows, purses, and jackets - hand embroidered in Kashmir, India.
The gallery has a large collection of Nativity scenes from around the world. In addition, the rooms are filled with pottery, interesting clothing, purses, baskets, and decorative items, all at affordable prices.
Flower lovers from throughout New Mexico and West Texas are encouraged to visit and bring your moms and friends. For more information visit www.hondoirisfarm.com
Hondo NM: Popular Iris Farm Prepares to Host Annual Mothers Day Pilgrims
