IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Summer 2026 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 2026 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, 'Tracks Of My Tears' (Paul Black 2021, TB) photo by Claire Schneider.

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. 

CONVENTION COVERAGE

• 12  2026 Newark Convention by Claire Schneider
• 17  New York Botanical Garden by Patricia Eisenberg
• 20  Brooklyn Botanic Garden by Howie Dash
• 23  Presby Memorial Iris Garden, Montclair, New Jersey, May 21, 2026 by Jill Bonino
• 26  Rutgers Gardens by Carolyn Honnette
• 29  Phanaticville: The Grand Finale by Robert Treadway
• 34 The Bertrand Farr Exhibit at the Marriott Hotel, Newark Airport by Andi Rivarola
• 36  The Youth Perspective by Taavi, Bennett, Jacob, and Steven Cordes
• 40  2026 Convention Award Winners by Linda Wilkie
• 42  Seen in NY/NJ

OTHER FEATURES

• 44  2027 AIS National Convention
• 46  Region 15 Spring Garden Trek & Meeting "Iris Roundup", Phoenix, AZ by Andi Rivarola and Claire Schneider
• 52  2026 Annual Regional Trek-Las Cruces, New Mexico by Andi Rivarola
• 55  Honorary Awards of The American Iris Society by Andi Rivarola
• 56  Spotlight on Hybridizers-The Return of Bill Maryott by Bryce Williamson
• 60  Spotlight on Hybridizers-The Next Generation: Dylan Just by Bryce Williamson
• 64  The Magic of Botanic Gardens-The Missouri Botanical Garden by Andi Rivarola and Gary White
• 69  Request for Guest Beardless Irises Society for Siberian Irises and AIS Region 6
• 70  Iris Bloom (?) 2026 in the Midwest by Jim Morris
• 73  Project BLOOM: Growing Iris Education, One Presentation at a Time by Scarlett Ayres

There's so much more on this issue in a total of 100 pages, filled with beautiful iris photos. Don't miss it!

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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!