IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2021 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 2021 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available online soon, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, a shot of Schreiner's Iris Gardens, from the 2020 AIS Photo Contest. Part 4 of the Centennial Supplement was mailed in January and a picture of the cover is below. 

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 area of the AIS website for more details.

On page 3, enjoy the 2020 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium with many images dispersed throughout several pages.

Remembering Friends, those that have left us recently, are described by the Jim Morris on pages 11 — 15. 

The 2020 AIS Photo Contests Winners are described, with beautiful images starting on page 20 through page 23.

Debbie Strauss writes about the AIS Foundation Ackerman Yout Essay Contest on page 24. 

For information on AIS Sections you may will find Section Happenings on pages 25 though 27.

International Iris News is on page 28. 

A rare view of the 2020 Winners of The Iris World International Photo Contest on page 29 and 30.

A lovely write up about The Iris Society of Australia on pages 32 and 33. 

And, information about the Premio Firenze, the International Iris Competition of Florence, Italy on page 34 — 36.

Old Dog — New Tricks is an in-depth article that you will enjoy, by Paul Black about iris class changes by the prolific hybridizer that he is, on pages 40 — 43.

Iris Illustrations by Botanical Artist Minnelli Lucy France on pages 46 and 47.

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats.

Not a member of The American Iris Society? Please see our website for information about becoming one: http://irises.org/

Happy Gardening!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Summer 2020 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 2020 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available online soon, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, 'Wishful Thinking' by Keith Keppel, and also this issue comes with Part 3 of the Centennial Supplement. Part 4 will be published later in 2020.

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 area of the AIS website for more details.

A great issue with lots interesting articles and beautiful iris pictures.

The tour starts on pages 3, 4 then on 59, thanks to our friends at the New York Botanical Gardens, who shared with us images of the beautiful irises planted for our not-to-be Centennial Convention. Don't miss them. The irises are gorgeous at a wonderful location.

Jody Nolin issues her Annual President's Letter, on page 9.

Interesting updates, bits of news, and other activities by AIS Sections on Section Happenings, on pages 10 — 12.

Where we say goodbye to old friends who have left us too early, on Remembering Friends, pages 14 — 15.

Essays by our youth members adorn the pages of Better Late than Never, written and organized by Debbie Strauss, AIS Foundation Ackerman Youth Essay Chair, on pages 16 — 19. 

Jean Morris take us into her garden with Median Bloom in 2020, accompanied by her garden notes and beautiful images. On pages 22 — 27.

Now, about Living on the Edge, a great story of iris survival and a renewal of ideas, through trials and tribulations by Stan Gray, from Savannah, Georgia. Several pages with anecdotes, stories and facts, from 28 through page 38.

Erin Chien recounts her history behind the camera, with one might say, lot's of success at the end, on Iris Photography for the Home Gardener. On pages 39 — 43.

In The Galvanized Pail, Nancy Vogel writes about her childhood home and everything that inspired her spirit and her gardening appreciation. Lovely piece, on pages, 44 — 47.

The Summer Webinar Series details are on page 58. If you haven't participated you can read all about it. It will perhaps inspire you to join other iris lovers to hear about, what else? Irises, of course!

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats.

Not a member of The American Iris Society? Please see our website for information about becoming one: http://irises.org/

Happy Gardening!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2020 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 Fall issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available online soon, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, the 2020 AIS Centennial logo created by Lori Galletti, also this issue comes with Part 1 of the Centennial Supplement. Parts 2, 3 and 4 will be published during 2020.

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 area of the AIS website for more details.

This edition of IRISES will be one of a kind, and all of us hope that you will enjoy it and also share with family and friends. Happy AIS Centennial Anniversary!

Enjoy the 2019 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium starting on page 3.

The AIS Centennial Convention Program is described starting on pages 16 — 18.

Did you know anything about the 1920 Period Dress? Well, if you are attending the National Convention you will have a chance to dress as in the 1920s. For more, read the article on page 19. 

Attention iris hybridizers: The 2022 AIS National Convention organizers is requesting guest irises for their Dallas, Texas location. Take a look in page 20.

The 2019 Photo Contest results are on pages 24 — 29. Lovely shots. Congratulations everyone!

Ever heard of target burning for weeds, insects and pests? Please read the article Going for the Burn, on pages 30 — 33. 

A reprint from this very blog, What's Wrong with the AIS Awards System, gives you lots to think about. Don't miss it on pages 35 — 37. 

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats.

Not a member of The American Iris Society? Please see our website for information about becoming one: http://irises.org/

Happy Gardening!

2020 AIS Centennial News - November 13, 2015

They are almost indescribable, the exhilarating feelings that accompany the preparation for a very special celebration taking shape within the team getting ready for 2020, the Centennial founding of The American Iris Society. We hope that you will join us not only in the celebration itself but also in every step we take to get ready for the Anniversary. Please join us as a volunteer, as a contributor of ideas, or simply by sharing all of our communications regarding the festivities with your friends and family.

It is with great pleasure that we start communicating with you by announcing the winner of the 2020 AIS Centennial Logo Contest. You will be seeing the winning logo (above) from now on in all of our communications regarding the AIS Centennial, be it online or via printed material. It was chosen unanimously by all committee members, and we particularly enjoyed it because it contains all the many types of irises we all enjoy.

We also want all of those who entered the Logo Contest to know how grateful we are, and how much we appreciate them. The AIS 2020 Centennial Committee members who chose the winner felt  thrilled to have viewed the different ways all of you expressed your creativity and love for irises.

And, the winner is Lori Galletti!

A bit camera shy Lori Galletti

Since there's nothing better than letting the person introduce themselves, well, here it is, in her own words:

I currently live in  , PA and I belong to The American Iris Society, HIPS, Delaware Valley Iris Society, and I have irises on the brain. For the last 4 years I have slept, dreamt and daydreamed irises.

I moved from Long Island, NY to Wyomissing, PA approximately 8 years ago.  When I bought my home, my mother shared with me her purple irises, which my father gave to her when they bought their first home. Because they were NOID's, I began investigating their origins and during my research I came across Bertrand Farr.  I found that the home I am living in, and the entire surrounding development, is on the land that was originally Farr Nursery. From that moment on, I have been actively collecting irises and Farr Nursery memorabilia.

In 2013, I purchased a collection of all the remaining artifacts from Farr Nursery and donated it to the New York Botanical Gardens. Included in the donation were Victorian era Dutch Boy and Girl costumes which were used in advertising Tulip Time at the Nursery. Two children would dress in full costume and greet customers as they arrived. It was so romantic and charming, it showed me the world through Mr. Farr's eyes.  His spirit lives on in his irises and his enthusiasm can still be felt and is quite infectious.

In February of this year, part of the collection went on exhibit at the Reading Public Museum. The museum generously hosted a Bertrand Farr exhibit, celebrating his 1915 gold medal win for his irises at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Quaker Lady garnered special attention at the PPIE and was Mr. Farr's personal favorite. She is my muse as well.  And as an artist,  I tend to sketch and photograph her more than any other iris in my garden.

When I first moved to Pennsylvania, I never expected to go on this journey, and I have to say, it has been exhilarating.  Having my design chosen for the AIS Centennial Celebration is an incredible honor and a highpoint in my love and obsession with all things iris.

Many thanks to Lori Galletti for her wonderful work!

Andi Rivarola

On behalf of the 2020 AIS Centennial Committee 

PS: Special Centennial email address: ais2020centennial@gmail.com