Cooley's Gardens started as a back yard hobby of Rholin and Pauline Cooley in Silverton, Oregon. They produced their first commercial catalog in 1928, and went on to become one of the largest iris firms in the US, lasting 83 years as of 2011. It has been continued by subsequent generations of the family, most recently by Rick Ernst and his wife Katie. Sadly, Rick passed away this past spring.
Cooley's was the primary introducer for many famous iris hybridizers. Early on, in 1929, Dr. Kleinsorge began introducing his illustrious varieties in their catalog with his beautiful 'Klamath'. Cooley's continued to introduce almost all of his irises until his final varieties 'Bengali' and 'Buckaroo' in 1961. Another legendary hybridizer featured in Cooley's thru the 40's, 50's, and 60's is Dave Hall, most famous for his line of 'flamingo pinks' that so captivated the iris world, he also brought us many other new color breaks as well. Cooley's later brought us the work of master hybridizer Jim Gibson and his ground-breaking work with plicatas, as well as the award winning productions of Larry Gaulter.
I was fortunate to have the chance to visit the beautiful display gardens at Cooley's during the 2006 AIS Convention. The garden was a mass of beautiful flowers and the fields stretched away into the distance - row after row in a dizzying rainbow of blooms. Visitors eagerly toured the display beds and admired the indoor floral arrangements for which Cooley's has been so famous over the years.
All things must eventually come to an end, and Cooley's Gardens can rest assured of their place in iris history. We will always have their legacy, all the beautiful irises they created and those they introduced, to remind us of their contributions to the world of irises.
When I first started seriously growing iris-Cooley's was the garden that supplied my addiction-sorry to see them go.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. Cooley's was a favorite of ours to visit when we lived in Oregon, and to order from when we didn't. I'm shocked they are closing.
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to visit. And when I was in Oregon, it was the wrong time of year. Very sad to see the legacy ending.
ReplyDeleteDang. I got great service from Cooley's and always meant to visit.
ReplyDeleteAll of us here at the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens were so sad to hear our old friend, Cooley's, was to be no more. Some of our treasured archives included correspondence between Rholin and Barbara Walther. Cooley's was one of the earliest supporters of the project to create an iris garden honoring Frank Presby. Fortunately, for all of us here, Barbara saved every single Cooley's catalog. We still use them today as a valuable tool in verifying our collection.
ReplyDeleteI just went to order my irises and found Cooley's was gone. The one I especially wanted last year was sold out when I ordered. I don't even know the name of it. I wonder if you have the time at all could you look in the 2011 and find the iris that has orange standards and purple falls or purple standards and orange falls. The orange is really orange not buff. If I had the name of it maybe I could find it somewhere else. Or maybe you would have and idea where I could get a 2011 catalog and I could look myself. I had a place in the garden all planned for this iris. Thanks for your time.
DeleteBlanche
I just last week learned of their closing. Does anyone know why? Also would greatly appreciate any suggestions on where to order from now. Cooley's was the only place I have ever ordered my iris from. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteShreiner's Iris Gardens in Salem, Oregon is amazing. I didn't know Cooley's had closed.
DeleteMy father Rick Ernst had passed away suddenly, my great grandfather was Rholin Cooley who had started the company in 1928. I wasnt going to reply, but the reply stating the incorrect final owner really bothered me. I miss my days on my families farm, so many memories for me to cherish
DeleteHey, distant cousin. If not for those fish skins our 1840's Cooley/Officer ancestors ate which got them to The Dalles, you and I might not be here.
DeleteAnd now here I am, always making the 45min trek to The Dalles to go shopping for food.
Take care, cuz!
-David Officer
I'm so sorry to hear this- I love my irises from Cooley's and wish I had the opportunity to buy more. :(
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the loss of loved one. My Mother so loved the visit we had the gardens.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this - Cooley's was my favorite supplier and I always looked forward to their gorgeous calendar. My best to the family - they have a proud legacy.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking all over for Cooley's, today I found a Catalog and started looking again. I found this site. I am deeply saddened by their loss in the family and closing. Cooleys was where my Grandmother, Mom and Dad always shopped for thier Iris. I have let my gardens go for many years and this is the year I started cleaning up my garden. I wish I knew more of the names. I am more determined to get them going again knowing that I will not be able to get any more Iris from Cooley's. I loved visiting in the spring walking through the gardens with a harp playing in the background. Then ordering more than had planed and getting a free catalog to dream about others I wanted. My Prayers go out to the family.
ReplyDeleteI was just looking for Cooley's on the internet. Didn't find it. Now I know why. Very sad. I hope the family is doing well now. I loved buying from Cooley's. I had over 60 varieties. I have moved and wanted to get more for my new place. So glad I was able to bring starts of some of my irises. I will definitely keep the three catalogs I have from the past. They will be a treasure. Thank you for the wonderful service your company has been.
ReplyDeleteLike the rest of your writers I was going on line to order Cooley's Spring and Fall Blend iris fertilizer only to find they have apparently closed. Such a crime. They will be missed. Does anyone know if they sold their stock to another grower from whom I might acquire the fertilizer? Thank you, Diane H., Charleston, SC.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Cooley's for a few years through high school. Such a hard working family, I have great memories of this place. Katie, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I always did and always will look up to you
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that cooleys closed. All the best to the family. did this beautiful place go to another agricultural, or even iris, grower?
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to hear of the closing of Cooley's. My sister and I used to go every year and after her passing I would go with one of my good friends, who has now also passed. It would take your breath away when you came upon the fields of iris and the mass of gorgeous colors. I had planned on going this spring but now realize that I can no longer stroll through the beautiful plants.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of Rick's passing and the closing of Cooley's. My mother, Lois Legard Becker, grew up next door to Rholin and Pauline. Miriam was her close friend. I always enjoyed visiting the Cooley gardens across Silver Creek when visiting my Grandmother Alvina Legard.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to hear of the closing of this great business.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if, or where, the great iris fertilizer they used to sell, is still available, and where?
I haven't used it for 2 years, and my iris are going downhill. I made up my mind to treat them with some this year, and found this source to be closed.
I have never used any other kind, so if anyone knows where I might find it, please respond.
Gayel Helm
Washe Valley, NV 89704
Mike says he has no idea what fertilizer blend Cooley's was selling or where to get something comparable. He has poor soil and uses a light dose of 10-10-10.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry for the families loss. I am digging , dividing and replanting soon my cooleys iris's from back in the early 80's!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about the closing of Cooley's. We are getting ready to retire and wanted to buy irises again as we did in the 90's. My favorite iris is still Creative Stitchery-fortunately after our rains in CA this year it is coming back. Wish we had kept all of our old catalogs with those beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteCarrie Hamblen, granddaughter of hybridizer Melba Hamblen. Searching 4 any of her iris. Please contact me at allstuff2015@yahoo.com Thank u.
ReplyDeleteI am just plugging this in because I had not ordered since 1989 when we bought our first home in the Santa Cruz Mtns. I still have my catalog and will cherish it.
ReplyDeleteBest iris company of all and still can’t be beat. I’ve lost some varieties and can’t find them in other companies.
ReplyDeleteReally miss this place.
Getting their new catalog was more exciting than Santa Claus
Born in Silverton, where my Mom and I lived with my grandparents until my Dad came home from WWII. Later, as a girl, I remember that Cooley's was part of our family environment and conversation. Iris in every yard we had! I've always appreciated the coolness and fragrance of iris blossoms. As an adult, I have been in wonder about the toughness of the plants to survive winter cold and summer heat. My parents even gifted us with a sentimental assortment of rhizomes when we lived in Wisconsin! But that was apparently a zone too far, which saddened me. I have a heart-pang knowing Cooley's is gone. Where did all their plants go? Can I find some from another grower?
ReplyDeletei'm 90 years old. Lived in Sivertonand even tho I was just a child one of the wonderful memories is Coolies Iris Garden
ReplyDeleteI never have visited or used Schreiners although I enjoy the flowers along I 5. I could not accurately remember Cooley’s until googling today. We did visit Cooleys during our years in NE Salem. What I am hoping to find is the daughter who moved from California to help with the family business in 1986 (maybe 1985) and lived across the street from us on Fuhrer Street NE. I can barely remember you outside of your kindnesses. We had a newborn and my husband left her with you when he drove to pick up older children. I woke from
ReplyDeletea nap and baby was gone and no cell phones! He thought it wiser to let me sleep and let you have the baby! Oh, my! We moved in April 1987 to California. Are you there and how do you fare??
We visited this wonderful iris garden many years ago. Sorry to hear it has closed 🙄
ReplyDelete