White Cemetery Iris at W.W. Glover Cemetery

The volunteer team at W.W. Glover Cemetery has been busy planning the constellation restoration--plotting on the map, identifying existing native species, transplanting donated native seed and plants and prepping the pleasant acre of greenspace in the Urbandale neighborhood of Dallas to be an historical community showpiece.

Volunteers shoveling in the large iris patch at W.W. Glover cemetery on a fine Texas winter day.

One of the major initial undertakings has been the taming and restoration of the white cemetery iris patch. Iris albicans has been used as a grave decoration for centuries by many cultures around the world, and although not native to Texas, is considered an historical heirloom flower. The white iris was a frequent memorial decoration in early Texas cemeteries that survives to this day.

The iris patch in W.W. Glover Cemetery which now covers several hundred square feet, probably started as a single tuber lovingly transported on an arduous pioneer journey and planted in memory of one of the early interments in the southeast corner.

A small section of the iris patch—plenty to share!!

While easy to grow in Texas, Iris do benefit from being divided every few years, and if left unattended will become so crowded that they stop blooming altogether. So, in order to restore this white flag patch to its former glory, we've been digging, spacing and relocating rhizomes. If you'd like a piece of this heirloom plant for your own garden, join us at the Next W. W. Glover Volunteer day!