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!

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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!

• 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!

Garry Knipe's Pacific Coast Irises

[FYI, this blog is reposted from 09/27/2021]

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7696495401112275586/2961022922296354434

By Bryce Williamson

For at least the last 10 years, plant societies have been in membership decline. There are many reasons for this. One of the important reasons for this is reduced garden space in major urban areas. As an area becomes more crowded, lot sizes diminish or fade into nothing. It is not a hopeless situation, however, for the avid gardener with a little bit of space. For the iris grower, a small garden means it will be impossible to grow everything, and specializing is necessary. When specializing is done right, it is even possible to have a hybridizing program.

Within a small garden in California’s Silicon Valley, Garry Knipe is specializing and doing it right. When I visited, one of the first things I noticed was the usage of all space—at the front, back, and even the sides of the house. It also helps, in his case, that one of the neighbors has allowed him to infringe on their property.

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From that small space and specializing in Pacific Coast Irises (PCIs), Mr. Knipe is producing stunning flowers. His seedlings regularly draw “ohs and ahs”at the local Clara B. Rees Iris Society show, winning many blue ribbons and almost always the seeding cup.

Garry has three goals in his hybridizing: bloom time, color, and cold-hardiness. He is working on early blooming varieties in many colors and the eye candy of whites, lavenders, and violets that have an area that is really blue or turquoise in color at the heart or center line of the flowers. To date Garry has only introduced one iris, ‘Premonition of Spring’ from the early blooming line.

‘Premonition of Spring’ 

‘Premonition of Spring’ 

His higher priority is the enhancing the blue and turquoise colors that originally came from Dr. Lee Lenz's work with I. munzii. Unfortunately, like I. munzii, the Lenz introductions were very difficult to grow and died off quickly. Fortunately, their genetic merits were utilized by a few PCI breeders in the 1970's. Garry is now actively selecting some of the stunning violets and lavenders with blues and turquoise shadings for introduction. That latter work has its basis in plants produced from the Lewis Lawyer lines as well as hybrids from Santa Cruz’s Lois Belardi and a seedling from Joe Ghio. The smaller space does slow him down and he can only grow 100 to 400 new seedlings every year.

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A third current hybridizing goal has been added to help extend the climatic range of the Pacific Coast Iris by making crosses between cold hardy species like I. tenax and other known good growing hybrids. These seeds get distributed to members of the Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris for testing in more difficult climates.

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Another garden interest of Garry's is breeding South African flowers of the genus Moraea. In particular, he is very interested in those species and hybrids that have very intense blue- or teal-colored eyes.

Since these relatively small plants can be grown tightly spaced, his small yard can accommodate large numbers of seedlings. Garry recognizes the help of Michael Mace in getting started.  View some of Mike's Moraeas at  https://growingcoolplants.blogspot.com/. His beautiful creations prove that it is possible to add to the gardening pleasure of gardens large and small even if he does not have a lot of space.

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2023 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 2023 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, 2022 AIS Photo Contest Winner — Irises in a landscape or garden: “Path Through the Irises” by Beth Belaney-Train (California). 

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 2022 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium Results start on page 3, and then continue on page 10 through 13.

Destiny Dallas: Aril 2023 with information about the upcoming national convention is on pages 14 through 17, including the registration form, and the Geek Dinner. 

Learn about the Changes to the AIS Judges Handbook, 8.22 edition is on page 18.

The first ever Convocation in Montana will be held in Billings, in June of 2025. The Request for Guest Irises for that year is on page 20.

A great article about the different iris types is on pages 22 - 23, called Learn About the Many Iris Types, and Expand Iris Bloom Season in Your Garden.

Welcome Newcomers: Spring is the time for ordering irises - Let's do it! is on page 24 and 25 is a great article for new iris lovers who are just starting to collect iris for their gardens.

The recently announced Iris of the Year 2023 is 'Football Hero' by Lynda Miller; take a look at the announcement on page 27.

The 2022 Nelson Award was announed and if you never heard of this award, you can learn all about it on pages 28 — 29.

A beatiful article from HIPS (Historic Iris Preservation Society) called HIPS: Saving Yesterday's Irises for Tomorrow's Gardens, is on page 30 — 31. 

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

/./././

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 views 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 from around the world, via our Facebook Group Iris Lovers, and other social media channels.

• Get to know about our 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 Dallas, TX in 2023.  

• 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 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 Summer 2022 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, arilbred iris, 'Chihuahua Night' (Howie Dash 2019, AB OGB), winner of the President's Cup at the 2022 Las Cruces Convention in New Mexico.

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 2022 National Convocation of The American Iris Society was held this year in Las Cruces, New Mexico earlier in the spring. It was a very enjoyable event and we hope that you enjoy the full recap carefully displayed within this issue, including:

Convention Awards: on page 2.

Hello, AIS Newcomers!: on page 30.

The Wes and Cynthia Wilson Garden, "Iris Inspire Us": on page 38.

The Optional Tour: White Sands Missile Range, on page 40.

Scarlett Ayres Garden, on page 42.

The Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum Garden: on page 46

Thoughts of a Convention Co-Chair: on page 48.

Seen in Las Cruces: on page 82.

Favorite Guest Irises: on page 83.

Other wonderful stories in this issue:

A Tribute to Dave Niswonger by none other than Barry Blyth on page 18.

Don't miss, Section Happenings, on page 20. 

On Beginners Corner, Do Plants Have Memories?, on page 28.

The AIS Foundation Ackerman Youth Essay Winners on page 68.

And lastly, Catalogs—Online, on page 69.

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

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

Happy Gardening!

/./././././././././././././././././././././././././././././././././././././.

Support the Work of The American Iris Society by Becoming a Member:

• Annual Print Membership receives Irises, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society, published four times annually.

• Annual E-membership receives Irises, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society, to view online. 

• Participate in AIS’s bi-monthly Webinar Series featuring AIS experts from around the U.S.

• Get connected with AIS members from around the world, via our Facebook Group Iris Lovers, and other social media channels.

• Get to know about our lesser known irises, such as species, spuria, Louisiana, Siberian and other beardless irises.

• Participate in the Annual convention. The next convention will be in Dallas, TX in 2023.  

• 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 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 Winter 2022 issue of the AIS Bulletin 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, Pacific Coast Native Iris, 'Marriage Proposal' (by Joe Ghio, 2006), a picture by Kathy Oldham (California), Winner of the 2021 AIS Photo Contest – Close Up.

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 Bulletin starts with the 2021 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium on pages 2 and 3. There are many images related to this subject and the list continues on pages 16 through 19.

This issue also features the Winners of the 2021 AIS Photo Contest, on pages 20 through 23, and then it continues on page 54. 

Always great information featured on Section Happenings, find the many activities of AIS Sections on pages 24 through 26. 

Read about the 2022 AIS Membership Drive that may benefit your iris club or AIS Section on page 27.

A plea for AIS Directors on Why You Should Be an AIS Director, on page 28.

The AIS Foundation announces the Ackerman Youth Essay Contest, on page 29.

Spuria is St. Louis is a surprising article, on the slim, tall beauties. Read and see all the pictures featured, on pages 30 and 31. 

An Iris Paradise in Savannah, is a lovely article from Savannah, Georgia that will delight you and may entice you to take a trip to the coastal city. On pages 32 through 41.

Don't miss the back cover picture of Iris laevigata variegata, by Willy Hublau (Belgium) another winner of the AIS 2021 Photo Contest.

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 - Fall 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 Fall 2021 issue of the AIS Bulletin 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, Dykes Medal Winner, 'Daring Deception' pictured below, by Thomas Johnson (2012 TB), and also enclosed below, co-winner, Dykes Medal Winner, Reckless Abandon' by Keith Keppel (2010 TB).

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.

Enjoy the images of all the AIS 2021 Award Winners on pages 2 to 5.

Two president messages on this issue: on page 10, outgoing president Jody Nolin says adieu to us. And, on page 11, incoming president Andi Rivarola says, "How did it come to this"?

We have a long list go members who have gone too soon on Remembering Friends on pages 12 through 15.

Be sure to read through the National Convention 2022 pages starting on page 20 and detailed information on pages 21 through 24.

An invitation to the 2022 Siberian/Species Iris Convention on page 26, and registration form on page 27.

Section Happenings start on page 28 and ends on page 31.

A delightful article called Bulbous Iris: More Colors for your Garden is on pages 32 — 37. 

Please read Iris Botany and Geography by Sylvain Ruaud, a reprint from this very blog on pages 49 — 52.

The upcoming Ackerman Youth Essay Contest 2022 is announced on page 53.

And lastly, the entire list of AIS 2021 Award Winners is on pages 54 — 62.

More beautiful pictures on the AIS Award Winners are on pages 62 — 67.

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 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 Summer 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, I. reichenbachii by Tom Waters; see story on page 29.

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 10 Howie Dash makes a plea for auction items as he and Scarlett Ayres finish up their preparations for the Las Cruces, NM National Convention of The American Iris Society. He says, "Please go through your closets, storage boxes, garage, and basement looking for donations of clean treasures of any kind for the Silent Auction. There will be people there who love irises including people who love iris books, iris dishes, iris clothing, old iris catalogs, gardening items, and IRIS ANYTHING!"

Don't miss Section Happenings on pages 14 and 15, it contains great information about AIS Sections such as, the Median Iris Society, the Spuria Iris Society, HIPS (the Historic Iris Preservation Iris Society), and the Novelty Iris Society.

The AIS Board is meeting in person this Fall, read the information and sign up for the meeting by filling out a form located on page 17.

Youth Views is on page 29 by Cheryl Deaton with information about the 2020 Clarke Cosgrove memorial Award for Youth Achievement.

Information about the AIS Foundation's Ackerman Youth Essay Contest, by Debbie Strauss on pages 20 through 25. 

A great reprint from this very blog by Tom Waters, the article is called "Tappying the Potential of Iris reichenbachii," on pages 29 through 31.

Lastly, a second article was reprinted from this blog: "The Next Generation: Starting PCI Seeds," by none other than Kathleen Sayce on pages 32 — 33.

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 - 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!

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 - Spring 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 Spring 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, a lovely iris garden from New Zealand, and also this issue comes with Part 2 of the Centennial Supplement. Parts 3 and 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.

What's in this issue? See below:

A list of the 2019 Honorary Awards Recipients on pages 16 — 19, compiled by Gary White.

A reprint from our own blog on pages 20 —22, Italian Irises, Great at Last!

A very fitting article about Why Coronavirus is a Bigger Deal than the Seasonal Flu by Dr. John Heard on page 23.

My own article about my trip to gorgeous New Zealand called New Zealand, New Zealanders and Irises on pages 26 — 31.

If you're share your images for any purpose with AIS, please read About Image Requirements with Registrations, by no other than Neil Houghton on pages 32 — 39.

On pages 40 and 41, please don't miss Kathy Chilton's article, Growing Irises in Hot, Dry Climates.

Bruce Filardi writes about International News on page 43.

Lastly, a beautiful image of TB iris 'Outside The Lines' by our dear friend Roger Duncan on the back cover.

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!