The Iris are Blooming on the Trail of Billy the Kid
Chances are that Billy the Kid himself would have stopped to smell the flowers at the Hondo Iris Farm on “The Billy the Kid Byway” in southern New Mexico. (Highway 70, Mile Marker 284) The iris farm is located in the Hondo Valley near the junction of the Rio Ruidoso and the Rio Bonito; at a site where Billy spent a “long two weeks” working at a ranch.
The nationally designated Scenic Highway, “The Billy the Kid Trail”, meanders along the trails Billy traveled, through the Rio Bonito and Hondo Valleys. The ranches of yesterday have been replaced by farms, irrigated orchards and small communities. but the beauty of the landscape, the magnificent colors of the contrasts between green and desert, and the historic feeling remain.
At the Hondo Iris Farm, visitors are welcome to walk the rows of Iris, particularly in May, when the plants are in full bloom. There are hundreds of varieties of Iris, all the colors of the rainbow: some brought to New Mexico in the 1800’s, and prize winning, hybrid varieties, developed in the last decade. Alongside is a landscaped “botanical garden” with placards identifying local flowers and trees.
The Iris Farm has an irrigation ditch that dates back to 1860. The water flows through a wooded area with picnic tables. There is a nearby gallery, showing work by local artisans, including the products of a small, local jewelry factory.
The gallery is attached to an old adobe house, built around Billy’s time. Visitors can view and feel the foot thick adobe walls, the hand hewn walnut beams and the small doorways characteristic of buildings at that time.
There is no admission charge to the Iris Farm. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10-5. (505) 653 4723.
Hwy 70, Mile Marker 284.
Go To Long Description of Iris Farm
Return to Hondo Iris Farm page