IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Spring 2022 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 2022 issue of the AIS Bulletin is now 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, border bearded iris and Dykes Medal winner, 'Brown Lasso' (Eugene Buckles by David Niswonger, 1975).

This time, I also included the beautiful back cover (image below) because it is indeed a picture of 'Chubby Cheeks' (Paul Black 1985, SDB), winner of the AIS Board of Directors Award.

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 French Iris Society (SFIB, Societe Francaise des Iris et Plantes Bulbeuses) is back in business after the pandemic, and is requesting guest irises for their 2024 International Iris Competition. More information on page 10.

Remembering Friends is on pages 11 - 13, always offers lasting memories of those friends in the iris world who contributed to make AIS the successful organization it is today. This month, Jim Morris captures the lives of giants. 

Section Happenings has a lot of information about AIS Sections, this issue, with write ups by the Median Iris Society, the Spuria Iris Society, the Dwarf Iris Society, the Species Iris Society, the Novelty Iris Society, the Tall Bearded Iris Society and the Reblooming Iris Society. Find them on pages, 16 through 18.

The AIS Board of Directors Award was given to 'Chubby Cheeks' in November of 2021. What a well deserved honor for little mighty Cheeks. Read all about it on pages 19 - 21. 

A beautiful report about the 2021 AIS Honorary Award Recipients can be found on pages 22 - 25.

A gorgeous, curious and fabulous read, Novelty Irises: a Lace Story, by Syvain Ruaud from France. Originally published right here on World of Irises, is on pages 26 through 29.

Air root pruning Irises (and Dallies) is on pages 30 and 31, includes fantastic images. 

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!

Iris Photo Essay: Ready for My Close-up

By Mike Unser

 A large part of my enjoyment of my historic iris collection is in photographing them, and one of my favorite aspects of photography is the macro shot. Really getting in close and looking at the texture or the structure of my favorite garden flower, and how the sunlight plays over and thru the petals never ceases to fascinate me. Here is a selection of photos I took during the 2020 bloom season that really caught my eye when examined more closely. We had a cool rainy spring the in PNW, which made the colors deeper and richer, and this also presented many opportunities for capturing the beauty of rain or dew on the blooms. But most important is the light - the flowers show their true glory when lit by the sun. It brings out the sparkle of the diamond dusting and gilded threads, highlights the lines in the architecture of the bloom, and makes the colors glow with a jewel-like depth. Inviting us to slow down and drink in the beauty of these marvelous flowers.

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!

Photo Essay: Historic varieties from 1934

by Mike Unser

A selection of varieties I have grown that were introduced in 1934. New gene combinations from the previous decade were giving a wide range of novel forms, colors and patterns. The economic depression of the 1930's era was hard on the people of so many countries. Perhaps the need for hope and beauty fueled the innovation and creativity of these golden years for irises.

What are you growing from 1934?

Photo Essay: Ready for a Close-up

By Mike Unser

I am fortunate to be friends with a local iris enthusiast, Rod Mendenhall, who grows over 1200 varieties of bearded irises. It is such a treat each spring to visit his garden and see the plethora of varieties that he maintains. There are always some new additions to enjoy and plenty of old friends too. Rod likes irises of all eras so there are plenty of historics as well as the latest and greatest to ooh and aah over. Today I'm sharing a closer look at some of the varieties from his collection taken in 2017. Much of the magic of irises, for me, is in the details of their patterns or architecture. I love getting in close for a look. I hope you will enjoy these.