by Ron Killingsworth
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| Louisiana Irises and mallard ducks enjoy the "Big Pond" in City Park, New Orleans, LA |
The
American Iris Society annual convention will be held in New Orleans from April 8-13, 2018! To learn more about the convention, click
here. And, the
Society for Louisiana Irises will hold their annual convention immediately following the AIS convention in the same hotel, from April 12-14, 2018. Don't miss this chance to attend to great iris conventions in the wonderful city of New Orleans, LA.
As a preview of what you will see during these conventions, I have assembled some pictures of some of the great places you may visit.
Louisiana irises were once found growing in the canals and marshes in and near New Orleans. Today you can still find Louisiana irises growing in New Orleans, but you have to know where to look. One of the best places to view Louisiana irises blooming would be in City Park during the last of February and first of March.
Any trip to New Orleans should include a tour of the City Park and especially the Sculpture Gardens located within the park and near the Art Museum.
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| Louisiana irises growing around the edge of the lake and canal inside the Sculpture Gardens, City Park, New Orleans |
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| Louisiana irises grow well around the lake in the middle of the Sculpture Garden |
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| Ponds such as this one in the Sculpture Garden in City Park are great places to grow Louisiana irises |
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| Massive plantings of Louisiana irises around the "Big Pond" in City Park |
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| Another view of the Louisiana irises around the edge of the "Big Pond" in City Park |
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| Beautiful Louisiana irises abound in City Park, New Orleans, LA |
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| A view of massive plantings of Louisiana irises with the "Big Pond" in the background |
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| Louisiana irises in full bloom with the Art Museum in the background at City Park |
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| What better way to view the Louisiana irises blooming in the Sculpture Garden than a ride in a gondola? |
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| Sculptures with the Sculpture Garden overlook the blooming Louisiana irises |
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| Another place to find Louisiana irises growing in New Orleans is at Pat O'Connor's house and gardens. Pat and his wife Julie love to collect "yard art" to highlight their Louisiana irises. |
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| Pat has a lot of "seedlings" (baby irises grown from seeds) growing in his backyard garden |
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| Not far from New Orleans is the city of Lafayette and Jim Leonard grows Louisiana irises commercially in large pots |
