The American Iris Society Announces the 2025 Wister Medal Winners

 'DARK UNIVERSE' - 'MARRY THE NIGHT' -

'GHIRARDELLI SQUARE'

The Wister Medal is restricted to tall bearded (TB) irises. It is named in honor of John C. Wister (1887-1982). Three medals are awarded each year. Previous awards winners can be found at https://wiki.irises.org/Main/InfoAwards.

John C. Wister led the organizing meeting that created the American Iris Society and became its first president, a position he held for 14. He guided the Society through its formative years. He was widely recognized as a man of rare management skills, leadership ability, and the highest ethical standards. R. S. Sturtevant wrote of him: "Probably few current members realize that the AIS started through the efforts and initiative of one man, John C. Wister...."

Tall bearded iris 'DARK UNIVERSE'

Photo by Christine Cosi

'Dark Universe' (Keith Keppel, R. 2018). Seedling 05-69C. TB, 35" (89 cm). Early bloom. Standards concord (M&P 45-K-12), very faint paler venation toward edge, ¹⁄₁₆˝ blue-white edge; style arms blue-white to wisteria violet (41-E-8); falls velvety concord, minute blue white edge, white area beside beard, fine speckled transitional area, haft with faint yellow edge deep in throat; beard hairs based white, chrome yellow (9-L-7) tips in throat, tips lemon-yellow (9-L-2) at end; luminata. Seedling 00-56D: (seedling 97-86B: ('Fancy Dress' x 'New Leaf') x 'Moonlit Water') X seedling 02-106A, 'Belle Fille' pollen parent. Introduced by Keith Keppel Iris in 2019.

Tall bearded iris 'MARRY THE NIGHT'

photo by Jeanette Graham

'Marry The Night' (Thomas Johnson, R. 2017). Seedling# TF77D. TB, 32" (81 cm). Early bloom. Standards near solid very dark purple; style arms dark purple; falls pristine white, precise dark purple band; beards orange, purple at the very end; sweet fragrance. 'Locomotion' sibling. Introduced by Mid-America Gardens in 2017. 

Tall bearded iris 'GHIRARDELLI SQUARE'
photo by Jeanette Graham

'Ghirardelli Square' (Keith Keppel, R. 2015). Seedling# 09-88B. TB, 38" (97 cm). Early midseason bloom. Standards blended brazil brown (M&P 8-L-8) and horsechestnut (8-J-5); style arms brazil brown to raw umber (7-L-12), wax yellow (11-L-4) on arms; falls white (9-AB-1), ³⁄₈˝ purple-chocolate (darker than 56-L-8) solid plicata edge, some speckling extending inward, short dark veins beside beard; beards mustard-tan, hairs based lavender. Seedling# 02-92A: ('Inside Trac' x 'Spice Lord') X 'Reckless Abandon'. Introduced by Keith Keppel Iris in 2016.

The World of Irises blog will be posting classification medal winners as soon as the hybridizers are notified. The entire list of winners, including Award of Merit and Honorable Mention, will be published on the AIS website, the AIS Encyclopedia, and later in the AIS Bulletin, IRISES.

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Summer 2025 Edition

 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 Summer 2025 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available online soon, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is being mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, 'Citronnade' (Richard Cayeux 2005, TB).

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.

Much of this edition of IRISES is dedicated to the Billings, Montana Convention. We hope you enjoy the coverage.

On pages 10 - 13, enjoy the article on the Society for Louisiana Irises Convention held on April 3-4, in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The Billings, Montana Convention coverage starts on page 14, including garden tours to:

A full description of the convention starts on page 14, titled A Monumental Event.

Eagle Ridge Iris Gardens on page 23.

Cynthia St. Charles's Garden on page 27.

Muriel's Iris Garden on page 30.

ZooMontana on Page 33.

DanWalt Iris Gardens on page 36.

Tina and Daughters Iris Garden on page 39.

Starner Gardens on page 44.

The Convention Award Winners, including pictures on page 46.

People Seen in Billings, on page 48.

An article on the 2022 Cumulative Rebloom Checklist on page 50.

An announcement on the Honorary Awards system of The American Iris Society, on page 51.

And, don't miss the Beginner's Corner on page 54 with tips on digging, separating rhizomes, and planting.

The Plant Vocabulary on page 58 focuses on Five Insects You Don't Want to Know!

There's so much more on this issue. Don't miss it!

./././

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!

• 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!

The American Iris Society Announces the 2025 Dykes Medal Winner

'ROYSTON RUBIES'

First awarded in 1927, the American Dykes Medal is the highest award of the American Iris Society (AIS). It is named for William Rickatson Dykes (1877-1925) and is awarded to no more than one iris per year. Irises are eligible as a Dykes Medal candidate for three years following the winning of a classification medal. Only AIS-accredited judges may vote. Previous awards winners can be found at https://wiki.irises.org/Main/InfoAwards.

Tall bearded iris 'Royston Rubies' 

photo by Mid-American Gardens

'Royston Rubies'  (Adam Cordes, R. 2016). Seedling# C51-8. Height 32 in. (81 cm). Late midseason bloom. Standards old mauve; style arms same, honey-gold sides, lavender lip, crests toasted-brown; falls dark ruby red, black veneer overlay to the ¼˝old mauve edge, occasional slight lavender line at end of beard, faint white rays at sides of beard, mustard-orange base on shoulders; beards mustard-orange, lavender base. 'Prestige Item' X 'Cranberry Sauce'. Introduced by Mid-America Gardens in 2017.

The World of Irises blog will be posting classification medal winners as soon as the hybridizers are notified. The entire list of winners, including Award of Merit and Honorable Mention, will be published on the AIS website, the AIS Encyclopedia, and later in the AIS Bulletin, IRISES.

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Spring 2025 Edition

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 2025 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available online soon, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is being mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, gorgeous 'Seminole Moon' (Harry Wolford 2009, LA) photographed by Patrick O'Connor.

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.

Besides the cover, an update of sorts and a fantastic article by Patrick O'Connor called, Louisiana Irises for a Broad Swath of the Country is on pages 10 — 14.

Michael Mace and Garry Knipe's delightful article and amazing images will be a highlight for anyone loving these iris cousins from South Africa. The article is called, Fun with Moraea, the Spectacular "Peacock Flower" of South Africa, on pages 15 through 22. 

A Hidden Gem in the Parc Floral, Paris explores some findings at this iconic location in France. Take a look on pages 24 and 25. 

The 2025 Youth Essay Contest sponsored by the AIS Foundation is announced on page 27.

An article that originated in this very blog space is re-printed on pages 28 — 31, it's Three Myths About Bearded Irises. 

We hope you like the beautiful centerfold inspired this month by Schreiner's Gardens 100 Anniversary, and also word inspired, on pages 34 — 35. And, that is just half the articles on this issue.

There's so much more on this issue. Don't miss it!

./././

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!

• 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!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2025 Edition

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 Winter 2025 issue of the AIS Bulletin is available online, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy will be mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, 2024 Photo Contest: Irises in a Landscape or Garden, Honorable mention "'Vanity'".

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.

The 2024 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium starts on page 2 with beautiful pictures of TB listed on this annual compendium. It then continues on pages 3, 10 through 3.

Announcing a new edition of AIS's Basic Iris Culture on page 14. 

A welcome article to New and Returning AIS Directors on pages 15 through 17.

Spotlight on Hybridizers — The Next Generation focusing on Ben Schreiner on 18 — 20, and then on Brad Collins on pages 21 – 22.

Last year's Exhibition Report Summary is detailed on pages 23 — 32.

Hybridizers, details to submit your gorgeous creations for the 2027 Oklahoma City - Tulsa, OK Convention is on page 33.

The registration forms for the Billings, MT Convention are on pages 34 and 35.

Who are AIS Judges? Could you be a judge? take a look on pages 36 — 37.

Announcing The American Iris Society New Emeritus Judges on page 38.

An excellent article on The Morgan-Wood Medal on pages 39 — 43.

2024's AIS Gold Medal Recipient is announced on pages 44 — 45.

Don't miss the beautiful centerfold that is nature and word inspired, on pages 46 — 47. And, that is just half the articles on this issue.

There's so much more on this issue. Don't miss it!

./././

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!

• 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!