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!

./././

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!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Spring 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 Spring 2026 issue of the AIS Bulletin is available online now, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is being mailed via the U.S. Post Office. 

On the cover, 'Azurite' (Sass-Plough, R. 1960, TB), at the Sass Memorial Iris Garden, photo by Linda Wilkie.

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. 

• 14 Getting Started with Louisiana Irises by Brian Shamblin 
• 18 The AIS Special Medals Series: The Hans and Jacob Sass Medal by Gary White 
• 23 Get Out and Vote! by Linda Wilkie 
• 24 Affiliate Advice: Increasing Attendance at Meetings by Claire Schneider 
• 26 What do you know about the Historic Iris Preservation Society by Suzanne Butler 
• 28 Spotlight on Hybridizers-The Next Generation The Rieniets Iris Adventure by Bryce Williamson 
• 34 2025 AIS Popularity Poll Results by Howie Dash 
• 41 Hybridizing Irises by Terry Aitken 
• 44 Blazek Solves Age-old Iris Mystery by Robert Pries 
• 48 The Gerald Richardson Award-Redefined! by Andi Rivarola 
• 51 Changelog 2025 for the Handbook for Judges and Show Officials, Edition 9.1 by Claire Schneider 52 Six FAQs Answered by AIS Judges Chair, Lorene Crone, Tennessee by Claire Schneider 
• 54 Paper Art Featuring Iris by Olga Batalov 
• 56 Still More Book Reviews For Your Reading Pleasure by Jim Morris 
• 64 Are the Irises in Your Garden Correctly Named and Does It Matter? by Harriet Robinson 
• 69 2026 AIS Foundation Ackerman Youth Essay Contest by Debbie Strauss

There's so much more on this issue in a total of 100 pages, filled with beautiful iris photos. 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!

• 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!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 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 Winter 2026 issue of the AIS Bulletin is available online now, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is being mailed via the U.S. Post Office. 

On the cover, 'Crepe Demeanor' (Jim Hedgecock, R. 2020, SPU), photo contest category 5 iris photo-MACRO, second place winner, photo by Tammie Clark.

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.

In this issue, the AIS Bulletin focuses in grand part on the 2025 AIS Photo Contest winners. We hope you like the images. Two double page spreads are featured on pages 2-3 and 50-51.

The 2025 AIS Honorary Awards are included in details on pages 12-17.

All of the 2025 AIS Photo Contest winners by category are listed on pages 18-24.

The 2026 AIS Photo Contest announcement is on page 25.

An article on New & Returning AIS Directors is featured on pages 26 and 27.

A fantastic article on how to put together a Club Display Garden can be found on pages 29-33.

If you ever dreamed on becoming an AIS Convention Guest Plant Chair, please read the write up on pages 34 and 35.

No registered for the AIS National Convention in New York and New Jersey? The registration form can be found on page 39.

Emeritus AIS judges have been approved by the AIS Board, and the article on pages 42 and 43.

Artistic Design is analyzed in detail on pages 44-49.

The Eric Nies Medal is explained on pages 52-55.

Traveling to the AIS Convention can be fun, as explained on pages 56-61.

There's so much more on this issue in a total of 100 pages, filled with beautiful iris photos. 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!

• 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!

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!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Fall 2024 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 2024 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, 'Perry Dyer’ (2017, AB OGB-) by Paul Black.

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.

On page 2, see the AIS 2024 Award Winners Gallery.

Find on page 10 a summary list of the AIS 2024 Awards.

A moving tribute to Perry Dyer by Paul Black, and how he came to assign the name to the iris, is on page 15. The article is called Dykes Medal winner 'Perry Dyer' hybridized by Paul Black.

Linda Wilkie provides us with a list and images of the 2024 AIS National Convention Cup Awards, on page 16.

A part of the 2024 National Convention, see a beautiful article about the Mid-America Garden Tour, on page 18.

On page 22, a summary of the Aitken's Salmon Creek Garden, which was also part of the 2024 AIS National Convention.

Lastly, the Misty River Iris Garden is featured on page 25.

A formal invitation to the 2025 National Convention to be held in Billings, Montana. Could can resist? Meet us in Montana for Iris Under The Big Sky! is on page 28.

Hybridizers note the invite to contribute your beautiful creations for the 2027 National Convention. See the details are on the Request for Guest Irises 2027 AIS Convention Oklahoma City-Tulsa, Oklahoma, on page 31. 

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 bi-monthly 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 - Summer 2024 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 2024 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available online soon, accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy will be mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover, 'Spicy Mustard’ (2021, SPEC-X) by Jill Copeland.

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 Society for Louisiana Iris & the Spuria Iris Society Convention put together a lovely convention this year. This event is covered on a beautiful article with lots of images, on pages 11 through 15.

A recap of the AIS National Convention held in the Portland, Oregon area. The Convention was called New Horizons and you can read it and look at some gorgeous images on pages 16 - 21.

An initial article of Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm visited by many convention attendees in Washougal, Washington during the AIS National Convention. The article with beautiful shots is on pages 22 - 25.

Miller's Manor Gardens was part of the National Convention as well. Read all about it on pages 26 - 28.

A new series of articles about iris hybridizers starts with this issue. Spotlight on Hybridizers — The Next Generation features two fantastic hybridizers, Steve Kelly and Diana Ford. 

Claire Schneider and Jody Nolin had fun in Italy and France, judging irises for the iris competitions in those countries. But, they called their article, This Wasn't a Vacation; It Was Work! Do we believe them? You be the judge by reading their article on pages 34 through 37. 

And, then Claire Schneider put together a fun article about A Visit the Cayeux Garden while in France. Read it on pages 38 - 40.

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 bi-monthly 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.

• Participate in the Annual convention. The next convention will be in Portland, OR in 2024.  

• 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!