By Andi Rivarola
A warm welcome to those who are seeing IRISES, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society for the first time. If you are a member of The American Iris Society I hope you enjoy this new issue.
The Spring 2026 issue of the AIS Bulletin is available online now, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is being mailed via the U.S. Post Office.
On the cover, 'Azurite' (Sass-Plough, R. 1960, TB), at the Sass Memorial Iris Garden, photo by Linda Wilkie.
Note: to access this area of the website, you must have a current AIS Emembership. (AIS Emembership is separate from the normal AIS membership.) Please see the Electronic Membership Information are of the AIS website for more details.
- 14 Getting Started with Louisiana Irises by Brian Shamblin
- 18 The AIS Special Medals Series: The Hans and Jacob Sass Medal by Gary White
- 23 Get Out and Vote! by Linda Wilkie
- 24 Affiliate Advice: Increasing Attendance at Meetings by Claire Schneider
- 26 What do you know about the Historic Iris Preservation Society by Suzanne Butler
- 28 Spotlight on Hybridizers-The Next Generation The Rieniets Iris Adventure by Bryce Williamson
- 34 2025 AIS Popularity Poll Results by Howie Dash
- 41 Hybridizing Irises by Terry Aitken
- 44 Blazek Solves Age-old Iris Mystery by Robert Pries
- 48 The Gerald Richardson Award-Redefined! by Andi Rivarola
- 51 Changelog 2025 for the Handbook for Judges and Show Officials, Edition 9.1 by Claire Schneider 52 Six FAQs Answered by AIS Judges Chair, Lorene Crone, Tennessee by Claire Schneider
- 54 Paper Art Featuring Iris by Olga Batalov
- 56 Still More Book Reviews For Your Reading Pleasure by Jim Morris
- 64 Are the Irises in Your Garden Correctly Named and Does It Matter? by Harriet Robinson
- 69 2026 AIS Foundation Ackerman Youth Essay Contest by Debbie Strauss
Support the work of The American Iris Society by becoming a member:
Not a member of the American Iris Society? Please see our website for information about becoming one: http://irises.org/
Happy Gardening!
- The Annual Print Membership receives the printed version of Irises, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society, published four times annually.
- Annual E-membership participants can view the online version of Irises, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society. Also, has access to the online iris checklist.
- The Annual Full Membership receives both benefits described above.
- Participate in AIS’s Webinar Series featuring AIS experts from around the U.S.
- Get connected with AIS members via our Facebook Group Iris Lovers, and other social media channels.
- Get to know about lesser known irises, such as species, spuria, Japanese, Louisiana, Siberian and other beardless irises.
- Support AIS's Mission of education, conservation, research, preserving historical archives, and outreach projects.
- Did you know that The American Iris Society is the registration authority for all rhizomatous irises worldwide?
- The Iris Encyclopedia is available 24-7, 365 days a year, and filled with a wealth of iris knowledge. Stop by for a visit!
