IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Spring 2019 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 issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available for online viewing, and 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 beautiful iris reticulata covered in snow as it awakens from a cold season.

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.

In this issue...

A wonderful read about A Few Irises in China, by Panayoti Kelaidis, on pages 16 through 18. Oh, so many lovely images of Iris chrysographes!

On pages 20 through 22, a reprint from our blog posts called, A New Iris World, on iris hybridizers in Eastern Europe by Sylvain Ruaud from France. 

On pages 23 through 25, yet another reprint from our blog posts, this time A View from Russian on Gypsy Lord and Children, by Sergey Stroganov. 

Ready for photography tips? Find them on the article by Neil Houghton called Job it Out, on pages 26 and 27.

And Maryann Schicker talks about Iris Identification Made Easy and Enjoyable, on pages 28 and 29.

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

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

Happy Gardening!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2019 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 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available for online viewing soon, and 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 2018 AIS TB Symposium's First Ranked ‘Dusky Challenger’ (Schreiner's 1986, 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.

What's in this issue?

The results of the 2018 AIS TB Symposium start on page 3, and then continue on pages 10 — 13. 

On page 9 don't miss the Bulletin Board, and in particular a new rule for iris shows. Please read: IRISES ELIGIBLE FOR AIS SHOW AWARDS.

On pages 14 and 15, a great article by Bob Pries called Building an Online Library. 

Photography tips in the article called, Photographing the Overall Garden: Three Strategies for Focusing, by Ron Thoman, on pages 16 — 19.

Coming to Terms with Arilbred Medians: A Rebuttal, by Anita Moran are on pages 20 — 22.

Have you ever needed tips for organizing your iris lists? Here's your chance to improve your records with, Organizing Your Iris Collection, Using the Spreadsheet Tool on Your Computer by Maryann Schicker, on page 23. 

Some fun and "funtastic" information about those irises that didn't win the "big one" but won the hearts of many an iris lover. Please do read, Close But No Cigar by Jim Morris, a detailed drive through the road of historic irises that could have made it big, on pages 24 through 27.

Jill Bonino and Kathy Chilton embarked on a trip to the The Presby Iris Gardens that took much more time than anticipated, on the way they learned how to set up irises for the 2020 Newark International Iris Competition, on pages 28 through 31. The article is called, Three Days to Newark. 

Lastly, get to know the new AIS Board members on pages 32 — 34. 

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

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

Happy Gardening!

Thank you Irisdom!

The American Iris Society is very thankful for you, our worldwide membership and audience, and for all those who love irises. Without you we couldn't continue to focus on our mission, "to organize and disseminate knowledge of the genus Iris, while fostering its preservation, enjoyment and continued development.”

'Ink Patterns' by TB Thomas Johnson (R. 2007)

The AIS has many goals and objectives, and we need you to help us achieve them in the coming months and years, just as YOU have done before.

Thanks to YOU, here's an example of our achievements and current work:

~ We provide reliable information on irises of all types: including comprehensive information about the variables of growing irises in different terrains and climates, and that information is available to all for educational purposes.

~ We publish a beautiful quarterly bulletin that is so much pride to show our friends and family.

~ We encourage scientific studies that benefit the continuously expand our knowledge and understanding of iris plants.

~ We keep a very steady and informative online presence via our website, and social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, and the AIS Blog, World of Irises.

~ We've created the Iris Encyclopedia, and continue to maintain and expand it, where thousands upon thousands of new and old irises, articles, and publications are made available to everyone, in digital format.

~ We support our members organize and manage a yearly iris convention that exuberantly serves as inspiration to the hundreds of participants from around the country, and the world, who get to attend.

~ We support local iris clubs, regions and societies in the U.S., and we also cooperate with others in several other countries.

~ We've created the AIS Library located in Molalla, Oregon where thousands of iris-related materials are carefully organized, stored and maintained.

~ We continue to be the worldwide registrar for new irises; a job we have done for many decades. 

~ We strive to create iris programs, and encourage iris judges to educate others about growing irises in different climates and locations. 

~ And, lots more.

So, from the bottom of our hearts a big THANK YOU!

Lastly, we can only ask that if you have not become a member of The American Iris Society, please do. Your membership means a lot to us, it keeps us inspired to continue to work hard to achieve all the goals for our society, to expand, and to keep growing.

If you feel so inclined, your donation before the end of 2018 is also appreciated.

Andi Rivarola

1st VP, The American Iris Society

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Fall 2018 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 for online viewing soon, and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover this time, the Winner of the 2018 Dykes Medal, 'Haunted Heart,' by hybridizer Keith Keppel (R. 2010, TB). Congratulations!

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.

Starting with beautiful pictures of all the 2018 Award Winners, on page 2 and 3, then it continues on pages, 58 and 59. 

AIS President, Gary White says goodbye, after three years at the helm, on pages 8 and 9.

The list of AIS 2018 Awards is on pages 10 though 16. 

Don't miss the invitation to submit an article for the AIS 2020 Centennial publications. Details are on page 17. AIS NEEDS YOU!

On pages 18 and 19 you will find detailed information about the 2019 AIS San Ramon Convention, and the registration form. 

Section Happenings are on pages 20 and 21, followed by dates of future AIS Conventions. 

On pages 22 and 23 beautiful images and article about International News, compiled by Bruce Filardi.

Interested in garden photography? Here's an article for you by Neil Hoghton, Ready for Your Close-up? on page 24.

Youth Views are on pages 25 through 27, compiled by Cheryl Deaton. 

Remembering Friends gives us details on the life of talented long time AIS-member Perry Dyer, on page 28. 

A detailed article that can't be missed, Coming to Terms with Arilbred Medians, by Tom Waters, on pages 30 through 38.

Scarlet Ayres, gives us information about New Mexico's The Big Dig, at the Mesilla Valley Iris Society, on pages 40 through 43.

And, lastly, having soil issues? Please read, Improving Your Garden Soil, by Wilbur Bluhm, on pages 44 through 47.

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

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

Happy Gardening!

IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Summer 2018 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 issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available for online viewing and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy has been mailed via the U.S. Post Office. On the cover this time, the Winner of the 2018 President's Cup, Louisiana iris 'Acadian Sky' by none other than hybridizer Joe Musacchia (R. 2017). Congratulations!

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.

Don't miss the entire line up of the 2018 Convention Award Winners, on pages 2 and 3.

Our friend, Kelly Norris received an award from the American Horticultural Society, take a look on page 9.

News from the Novelty Iris Society, Species Iris Society and others can be found on "Section Happenings," on page 12. 

News on the AIS Foundation's Ackerman Essay Winners were announced, and you can find the announcement on page 17.

Memories in writing and images of the 2018 New Orleans National Convention extensively covered in this issue on pages 20 — 26. 

Notes and images from the combined Tall Bearded Iris Society and Region 13 Spring iris tour are covered on pages 27 — 31, then on 34 — 35.

We also had an Aril Convention this year, held in Las Cruces, New Mexico beautifully covered on pages 36 — 47.

And, last but not least a very informative article called, 'Winning the Borer War," on pages 48 and 49.

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

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

Happy Gardening!

Spurias in Oregon - Part II

By Kevin Vaughn

I was most happy that the seedlings had taken after ‘Banned in Boston’ for having large and wide flowers as seedlings from the oranges can often be small, harking back to small-flowered  ‘Elixir’, which is behind most of the oranges. The best of these flowers were sib-crossed to see what will come next from this most interesting group.

As hybridizers we try for things we don’t have already.  Dave Niswonger has pursued pink for a while and others have gone after red.  When Lee Walker’s ’Red War Clouds’ first bloomed for me I was impressed at how much further towards red this spuria was than its predecessors.   A look at the pedigree showed that it had the red and pink approaches developed by others (‘Zulu Chief,’ ‘Countess Zeppelin’ and ‘Pink Candles) so the genes were there for further improvement.  Although the flower was not large, it was rather nicely formed and the plant grew well. Just down the bed from ‘Red War Clouds’ was Barry Blyth’s ‘Mahogany Lord’.

Spuria seedling (and photo) by Kevin Vaughn

‘Mahogany Lord’ is an odd shade, purple sort of flushed red, giving a maroon effect. On paper this looked like a match made in Heaven, as both were approaches to red and hopefully the effect of both would be redder yet.’Mahogany Lord’ was also a bigger, wider flower so improvements in size and form could also result.   Almost 200 seedlings resulted from the crosses, done in both directions. Let’s just say it was easy to dig out the good ones. It was a very sad lot for both form and color. Most were small flowers with rather muddy brown colors predominating. Only one was saved as a slight improvement in color and had at least acceptable form. It will never be introduced but it might be useful as a parent down the road. I should say that ‘Red War Clouds’ is not a horrible parent as I had just 4 seedlings from ‘Lucky Devil’ X ‘Red War Clouds’ and all were nice, not red, but nice dark purples with good form.  Two of these were sib-crossed in an effort to recover the red. I also used Terry Aitken’s lovely ‘Hot Chili’ with these seedlings, so there may be red in my future yet. Several years ago Dave Niswonger commented that he often made crosses that on paper would think you were progressing towards pink and getting nothing close but in a cross not intended for pink they appeared. I suddenly knew exactly how he felt!

A group of spuria seedlings (and photo) by Kevin Vaughn

This year all the selected seedlings from previous years bloomed well and I hope to make final selections of a number of seedlings from the last 4 bloom seasons. These mostly involve crosses of ‘Banned in Boston’ and ‘Angel’s Smile’ crossed to other colors, to take advantage of the form and branching habits of these hybrids.   Most of these crosses gave siblings of similar quality so final decisions will be made based upon bud counts and vigor as well as beauty of the flowers. Seedlings from intercrossing these selections should bloom this spring to see if any of these plants are also going to be yielding parents.

From the Editor: This article first appeared in Spuria News, the bi-annual newsletter by the Spuria Irises Society. Part I, can be found here. Reprinted by permission of the author. The Spuria Iris Society is a section of The American Iris Society, and is dedicated to expanding the public's knowledge of spuria iris. For more information about growing spuria irises and/or becoming a member of the society please visit their website.

IRISES, the Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2018 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 issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available for online viewing and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is in the hands of U.S. Post Office. On the cover this time, the Winner of the 2017 AIS Photo Contest, called "Blue Tectorums," by Beth Conrad from New Zealand. Congratulations!

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, Winners of the 2017 AIS Photo Contest are announced, photos are located in several segments of this publication. 

AIS President, Gary White's message is on page 8, with great news about the 2021 AIS National Convention location, and the names of newly elected AIS Directors. Take a look.

Ready or not, it's good to know about A Charitable Bequest to AIS, ex-AIS President, Jim Morris explains on page 11. 

What's happening with HIPS (Historic Iris Preservation Society)? What's happening with the Novelty Iris Society or the Spuria Iris Society? Check pages 12 and 13 for Section Happenings.

An introduction to AIS Gold Medal Recipient Jeanne Clay Plank, by Jill Bonino on pages 15 and 16. 

A wonderful read on pages 16 - 18, by California hybridizer Doug Kanarowski, called Two Hybridizing Advancements: One Intentional, One Accidental. Nice hybriding technique photos accompany the piece. Enjoy.

The 2017 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium Results are published starting on page 22 and continue through page 27. 

Beautiful shots of iris in many different garden situations comprise the list of the 2017 AIS Photo Contest Winners. Some are quite unique and original. On pages 18 through 31.

The request for bearded irises for the 2020 Centennial Convention is on page 32, and the International Iris Competition information for the same year follows on page 33. 

Don't miss the piece on Images Now Required with Iris Registrations on pages 34 and 35, by Neil Houghton, the new AIS Image Coordinator. 

Lastly, extensive information about the 2018 AIS National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, on pages 37 through 44. Hope to see you there! More online information about the convention can be found here: http://www.2018irisconvention.org/

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

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats. If you are an AIS member know that you will receive the print edition soon (it's in the hands of the U.S. Post Office), or if you are an e-member, then that version is already available online as described above). 

Happy Gardening!

IRISES, the Bulletin of the AIS - Fall 2017 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 edition, which you will receive via U.S. Mail very soon. 

The Fall 2017 issue of the AIS Bulletin will also be available soon for online viewing and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. On the cover this edition, 2017 Dykes Medal Winner ‘Montmartre’ (Keith Keoppel 2008, 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.

Don't miss the listing of all award winning irises, on pages 14 — 20 with the title, AIS 2017 Awards.

A fascinating view at genealogy of irises with the article by Maryann Schicker, titled Introduction to the Vertical Genealogical Chart, on pages 22 — 25.

A beautiful description of the Florence Iris Gardens by Florence Darhenay, in her piece called A Walk in the Giardino, on pages 26 — 29. Lovely images included. 

Debbie Strauss says adieu to the last AIS Silent Auction she and Nick Steward put together. Her article is called AIS Silent Auction and is on page 30.

An invitation to attend the 2018 AIS Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana starts with a fantastic description on pages 32 — 33, and continues with the registration form on pages 34 — 35. You may also find information about the convention online at: http://www.2018irisconvention.org/

International Iris News gives us but a glimpse of iris news from outside the U.S., compiled by Bruce Filardi, on pages 39 — 41.

A reprint from our own blog, by Susanne Holland Spicker, called Older Tall Bearded Irises ~ Timeless Beauties on page 43.

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats. If you are an AIS member know that you will receive the print edition soon (it's in the hands of the U.S. Post Office), or if you are an e-member, then that version will be a available online soon. 

Happy Gardening!

IRISES, the Bulletin of the AIS - Spring 2017 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 edition, cover below, which you will receive via U.S. Mail very soon. 

The Spring 2017 issue of the AIS Bulletin will also be available soon for online viewing and is accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. 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.

International News feature iris news from Italy and Australia, on page 14

Youth Views on page 15 focuses on Coloring Contest Winners, Photo Contest winners of the Clark Cosgrove Memorial Award for Youth Achievement and more. 

New taxonomic arrangement of the Genus Iris? James Waddick's article, Comments on Crespo et al, on pages 20 and 21 exposes this dilemma. 

Enjoy a second article about genetics through, Still Confused About Genetics?  — a reprint of Dr. Currier McEwen's column from Spuria News dated 1967. 

Our own blogger, Susanne Holland Spicker, has a fantastic article on subjects we know her to do so well: growing irises and capturing them for the rest of us to enjoy. It's on pages 24 — 27, Tall Bearded Irises: Companion Plants with Pink, Red and Purple Irises.  

Don't miss the inspiring story of Cindy Rust, in Tell Me a Story, A Hybridizing Adventure — on pages 28 through 31. 

"Although I am just an ordinary person myself, I inherited an extraordinary way of seeing ordinary things." 

You won't miss the 2020 Centennial Iris Competition rules in the centerfold, pages 32 and 33. Thank you to the IRISES editors for giving it an extra push.

Bob Pries takes us to the origins of the Iris Encyclopedia with a write up on pages 34 and 35 — Confessions of an Information Junkie. 

"The river of information on the Internet is miles wide but only inches deep."

Considerations for Cool Season Tall Bearded Reblooming Iris Judging on pages 36 through 40, is an thoughtful examination of judging reblooming irises, by Mike Lockatell. 

Is your group interested in hosting a National Convention? If not sure, read Hosting an AIS National Convention by Paul Gossett on pages 43 through 45. It's an excellent source of information. 

Lastly information on Des Moines, IA the site of this year's National Convention of The American Iris Society 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. If you are an AIS member know that you will receive the print edition soon (it's in the hands of the U.S. Post Office), or if you are an e-member, then that version will be a available online soon. 

Happy gardening!

IRISES, the Bulletin of the AIS - Fall 2016 Edition

By Andi Rivarola

I hope you enjoy the new edition of IRISES, cover below, which you will receive via U.S. Mail very soon. 

A warm welcome to those who are seeing the gorgeous cover of this issue of IRISES, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society for the first time.  

The Fall 2016 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available soon for online viewing within the Emembers section of the AIS website. 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.

Some article display news: page 2 and 3 have some awesomely large pictures of the 2016 Award Winners. It's a welcome change from New Yorker and guest Editor Jane Milliman, who has become the new Editor of IRISES starting with the first issue of 2017. 

Don't miss a wonderful recap of all the activities in the various AIS Sections, such as The Novelty Iris Society, The Median Iris Society, the Species Iris Group of North America, The Reblooming Iris Society and others. On pages 12 & 13. 

What a tender obituary on dear Jean Witt, on pages 14 and 15. If you didn't know her, you will know much more about her after reading this. Don't miss the note about her watercolor work. It's fascinating. The obituaries continue on page 16 on the passing of Rholin "Keith" Cooley, from you guest it, the famous Cooley's Iris Gardens in Silverton, Oregon. 

On pages 18, 19 and 20 you will find a wonderful and very descriptive article by Sheryl Campbell, called, "Shenandoah & Potomac Iris Society Beautifies the Valley" You will be visiting two wonderful gardens, the State Arboretum at Boyce, and the Glen Burnie Gardens at the Museum of Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, both in Virginia. Enjoy. 

"To get to the irises, you walk through the Pollination Garden observing butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds visiting their favorite flowers."

Tom Waters, from New Mexico, knows his Arils/Arilbreds and this impressive article on "Classification of Arils and Arilbreds," will provide you with much information about their nomenclature and perhaps inspire you to grow some in your garden. On pages 21, 22 and 23.

Joe Ghio gives us his take on "Tall Bearded Iris Future," and what will motivate upcoming hybridizers to continue the work as did Joe, Keith and others. Wonderful article, on pages 24 and 25. 

Meanwhile in Virginia, Mike Lockatell writes about reblooming SDBs and how "SDB Seedlings Save [the] 2015 Fall Season." Lovely images of some of his seedlings accompany the article. Don't miss it. On pages 26 through 29.

The 2016 Award Winners are listed commencing on page 31.

Young and wise, Colin Campbell, describes his introduction to iris hybridizing with amazing close up images. From removing pollen from the pollen parent, to placing the pollen on the stigmatic lip of the pod parent iris. You can read about it on pages 38 through 40. Colin's article is called, "An Introduction to Hybridizing Tall Bearded Irises."

"A little bit more about pollen. Exposure to bright sunlight can be harmful to the pollen grains, so it is important to keep your pollen containers covered when you are out hybridizing in the garden."

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats. If you are an AIS member know that you will receive the print edition soon (it's in the hands of the U.S. Post Office), or if you are an e-member, then that version will be a available online soon as mentioned above. 

Happy gardening!