Chasing the Iris Rainbow in ’24: Binge Year

By Grahame Ware

October 2024

Siberian iris ‘Banish Misfortune’ (Marty Schafer & Jan Sacks, 1999)
photo by Grahame Ware

All of us have abiding interests in life. You get the photography bug or the writing rash, or, worst of all, an art-collecting mania grips you; and it won’t let go. With me, these abiding interests are like a self-inflicted tattoo made without the company of sailors and drinking too much rum, or possibly, they’re a birthmark that I’ve only just recognized rising out of my epidermal sheath.

When the flames of enthusiasm have been lit, the fire never goes out. Oh, the embers may cool, but they are always ready to burst back into flames when a wind of inspiration blows up. And blow up it did this past year with my latent love for irises.  But, this time, I didn’t hold back— I gave in— and had a full-blown tryst with the iris muse. I wanted as many of those “girls of the rainbow” as possible. I envisioned them everywhere in my garden.  Only then did it dawn on me that my iris fire was raging. Ahh, but my muse knew ... and she was smoldering without a smile in a curiously alluring way.

Proof of this fiery syndrome is provided herein below: 

a) Early in the New Year, I joined The American Iris Society with an inexpensive e-membership so I could mine their archives and do research on iris cultivars. So far, so good. 

b) The first iris subgroup that I pursued and joined was the Society for  Pacific Coast Native Iris, mostly because they had a seed exchange.  Their seedex is a wonderful affair and I was able to get some really good seed and, subsequently, get some good seedlings going. They’re now planted out in a new bed and settling in very nicely. Kudos to  Louise Guerin. 

c) Quite soon after that, I joined the Ontario Iris Society (ONIS) and enthusiastically wrote an article for their winter newsletter on my attraction to standard dwarf bearded (SDB) irises I’d received from their rhizome sales in ’22 and ‘23. I had taken advantage of their rhizome sales, a marvelous way to raise funds for ONIS. Now, as a member for the first time, I got priority of ordering for the sale this past  July. Merci, merci, merci Kate Brewitt. 

d) I’d become fascinated with so many historical iris cultivars (cvs) that I  just had to join the Historic Iris Preservation Society (HIPS) because—  whaddya know?—this organization also had a rhizome sale that was cross-border friendly (as well as being a fantastic fundraiser). The rhizomes and the historic iris offerings were simply amazing. It was a big ‘Wow’— the momentum was building. All hail Nancy McDonald and Barbara-Jean  Jackson for my ‘Storm On Superior’ package that included a huge  ‘Voltigeur’ chunk! 

e) Then I turned right around and signed up for the Dwarf Iris Society because— guess what?— I discovered they were having a seed sale with many exciting crosses and cultivars that I had no hope of acquiring any other way except through their seed sale. No, this wasn’t a “bridge (or a binge) too far”; and, yes, I’m a seed-growing nut that loves having healthy, home-grown seedlings. They outperform. My seed order via post arrived here on Gabriola Island, on Canada’s Pacific coast, in one week all the way from New Mexico— a distance of over 2000 kms flying and nearly 3000 kms driving. I can’t wait to see what the ‘Green Spot’ x ‘Cheerful Chipmunk’ cross produces. Wow, again, and thanks, Tom Waters — you’re awesome!

Shipment of iris seeds
photo by Grahame Ware 

f) But I wasn’t finished with my Year of the Iris Binge. Just this month, I  couldn’t resist being a part of the Society for Siberian Iris because  (you’re not going to believe it but…) I heard that they too were going to have a seed exchange with many of the top hybridizers providing seeds of their top irises and new crosses as well. I know! I went weak in the knees and transferred by osmosis or some other mysterious energy .to my hands. Somehow, I was clicking away with my mouse and a PayPal thing.

The good news is that soon, I’ll be able to donate seeds or plants to the rhizome exchange of the groups that I’ve joined.  I take comfort in knowing that this fire of mine burns safely because it doesn’t add to our global warming nor make home insurance rates go up. 

Finally, peace has washed over me and cooled the flames of my Year of the Iris Binge. I have now planted all of the rhizomes from the exchanges, and they’re thriving. I’m thrilled at what I was able to get. It meant I had to create new beds from scratch to display the historics and other irises. What a motivation the rhizome exchange was.On the seed side, I have some wonderful-looking Pacifica seedlngs and many packets of iris seeds dutifully awaiting germination.

Now, here I am, the curator of new iris plants and seeds and the inspiration that comes from those plants and seedlings. I’ll admit that I feel somewhat like comedian Martin Short’s character, Ed Grimley Jr., in his “Night Before  Xmas” skit. With all these iris plants and seeds, I couldn’t be happier. In fairness to myself, and as a way of explaining this conflagration to my dear wife, the passion for irises didn’t happen overnight. She’s seen this movie before, but I still assure her (out of having-to-do-this-again guilt, I  suppose) that, once again, I’ll be okay. She just nods and smirks with a “Sure you .will” expression.

Bare root iris rhizomes waiting for replant
photo by Grahame Ware 

So know this dear reader: you too can let your iris fire blaze away and not worry— just smile— because it won't burn down any forest or house— just singe your pocketbook ever so slightly. 

 “It is”, as the saying goes, “but a mere pittance.”

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Fall 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 2020 issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available online, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, SDB iris 'Teagan' (Don Spoon 2009). Part 4 of the Centennial Supplement is a bit delayed. As soon as it's ready and printed we will let you know. 

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. Here are some details.

On pages 2 —3, and then 47, a sampling of American Dykes Medal Winners. Beautiful images of now famous beauties. 

AIS President, Jody Nolin's message is on page 8.

Section Happenings is on pages 10 and 11, with notes from the Dwarf Iris Society, SIGNA, The Reblooming Iris Society, the Spuria Iris Society, the Novelty Iris Society, HIPS, and the Tall Bearded Iris Society. 

International Iris News on page 14, by Bruce Filardi.

Youth Views on page 15, by Cheryl Deaton.

A fun article on the Conspicuous by Their Absence — The Years No Dykes Memorial medals Were Awarded, on pages 16 — 19.

A Novel Iris Show on pages 20 — 21, with lots of beautiful images. 

The Dramatic Beginning of 'Goodwin Fire' by Francine Cheswick on page 22

The Story of Winterberry Gardens by Don Spoon, on pages 23 through 30. 

A reprint from this very blog, on Black is Dramatic, by our own Mel Schiller on pages 32 — 35.

And last but no least, Images Now Due with Introductions on page 35, by Neil Houghton.

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!

What Surprises Will You Find In News & Notes?

By Wayne Messer

For those of you who have not seen it, News & Notes is the electronic newsletter of The American Iris Society for its members.  While you can learn more about it here (scroll down to July 2013 on that News page), we thought sharing a typical (or atypical) issue would give a better taste of what it is and does.

First, let me apologize for not just having a working issue embedded in this post.  I really wanted to do that; but, could not get it to work.  However, we do have one where you can follow the links here on the Iris Encyclopedia.  (You will find another link to that at the end of this post.)

Regular issues of News & Notes are sent monthly containing 5-10 items about happenings in AIS and the world of irises.   In the left column are a table of contents, the featured article - in this case a “preview” of the 2015 Dykes Medal Winner, and a list of quick links to frequently consulted AIS sites.

The featured article, and each of the other articles, generally are a quick summary of the topic with links (shown in blue) to a variety of sources to learn or see more.   That is one of the great things about an electronic newsletter; you can immediately act.  In this case to see the Dykes Medal Winner at an Iris Wiki page or go to iris popularity polls, again on the Iris Encyclopedia.  FYI - the photo shown illustrating this article is ‘Dividing Line’, the 2014 Dykes Medal Winner, which was announced in a special edition of News & Notes last year devoted to the 2014 Medal Winners.

Then in the right hand column are the other articles:  upcoming events (particularly when there are imminent deadlines associated with them), announcements and reminders, and recent happenings.  For the upcoming conventions, there are links to the announcements and schedules on the AIS website and on the conventions sites.  An added bonus is a link to some videos showing irises from earlier visits to some of the tour gardens (with the videos on another Iris Encyclopedia page).

While I could go on and on about the exciting items you will find in News & Notes, the best way to get a sense of it is to follow some of the links.  I’ll just mention one more item you will find in each edition - Jigsaw Puzzles!  While we try to make every item interesting, informative, and fun; with the puzzle the emphasis is definitely on fun.  With two levels of difficulty to match the challenge you need.

What to Do Now

As I said, I like News & Notes because you can immediately go find out more about a topic, sign up for something, use an email link to write to someone, or take some other action.  In that spirit, here is what you can do now.

If you are an AIS member and are not receiving News & Notes, please have our Membership Secretary update or add your email address.  (Link is a email address.)

If you are an AIS member and are receiving News & Notes, please let us know what more you would like to see.  If your Section, Region, Club, Committee, etc. is doing/going to/has done something interesting, please let us know.  Email wrmesser@gmail.com with your suggestions or comments.

If you are not yet an AIS member, learn more about the benefits of joining and even join online by starting here.  If you already know you want to join and do it online, you can go directly to this page to join.

For those with topics you would like to include, however, you do not know what to link to, the Iris Encyclopedia may be what you need.  In addition to having great information about irises, it is available so you can (or we can help you to) create a page to point to.  That’s what wiki means - you can quickly edit a page or create and edit one  - in this case, the Iris Wiki.  And it is available whether you would like something in News & Notes or to link from a newsletter.

Thank you to Kelly Norris and Bob Pries for identifying the need for News & Notes and getting it started.  And thank you to everyone for reading News & Notes and providing suggestions and comments.  Please keep them coming.

As promised, here is the page on the Iris Encyclopedia where you can see this complete issue of News & Notes with working links.

New AIS-Members 2014 Voucher

Spring is only 70 Days Away

By Andi Rivarola

Happy New Year friends. I hope that 2014 has treated you kindly so far. As I write this, I've become energized by the thought that there are only 70 days to spring here in the northern hemisphere, at least astronomically. Of course, we all know that spring actually arrives at each location according to its climate and geographical site. Have you ever recorded the signs of spring in your area? 

Here are a few of the signs that I've noticed where I live: more and more leaves on all plants; green, fresh buds starting to form; more and more bugs flying around, or for sample lady bugs are noticed all over my roses and irises; birds suddenly appear and are singing to their hearts content; and for us, iris lovers, perhaps long stems of potential iris blooms are forming, pointing skyward and getting higher and higher; and in my area, iris bud tips have striking colors contrasting with the green of the leaves. What are the signs of spring in your area?

We're getting there very shortly. Yes, we are.

Now that the darkest day of the season is over, and we're in a countdown mode to more daylight and warmer temperatures I wanted to introduce the concept of the AIS Voucher for New Members of The American Iris Society. The Voucher Program started in 2013, and now it has been extended for 2014. Plainly explained, whoever joins the AIS for the first time (or upgrades his or her membership to a three-year membership) will receive a voucher for the value of $25 to be used at participating vendors. The voucher and a list of vendors is mailed by the AIS Membership Secretary. For complete information on the AIS Voucher Program, please visit the following link: http://goo.gl/LUXS7K 

Your membership is very much valued by all of us, as it directly helps to disseminate the goals and values of the organization. Thank you for your help, and please tell your friends and family.

[Iris clubs and affiliated societies are welcome to use the ad above in your own individual newsletters].