Region 2 of the American Iris Society FALL 2017
Another iris season rapidlyNEWSLETTER made up for it. It has been a winding down! Is it just me, or challenge to find me to get does each one go faster than FROM YOUR RVP into the garden when it wasn’t the last? actually raining or the ground was in any condi on to be worked. The weeds….oh Congratula ons to the winners at our iris shows my, the weeds! Totally out of control most of the this year, and a big congratula ons and “Thank season. I am now having one of the worst you!” to all those involved in planning and outbreaks of leaf spot ever; a direct result of all the execu ng them. Shows could not take place moisture. The lawn constantly needs mowing and without a cadre of dedicated irisarians to plan, that is another demand on the available dry work exhibit, judge, and complete the necessary me. paperwork. The public really is impressed when viewing the results and this is one of our more But today was dry and actually, quite cool powerful PR tools. I realize it is ge ng more and compared with the hot, humid days we have been more difficult to secure workers, venues and even experiencing. It was a real treat to get out there exhibitors, so each one of you par cipa ng in any and yank those miserable weeds. Gardening is my form is important. therapy for coping with these crazy mes we live in. I hear ly recommend it! Congratula ons also to Neil Houghton, who has been appointed AIS Image Coordinator. His Don’t delay in reserving your hotel rooms and explana on of what that involves is included in this ge ng your registra on forms in for the annual newsle er. mee ng. We think that Chad Harris’ presenta on and the noon meal may appeal to gardeners other We are now looking forward to the Region 2 than AIS members, and we are ac vely promo ng Annual Mee ng, and you will find all the necessary it as a public event. This means that the deadlines informa on about it in these pages. Once again, it must be “set in stone” so we can determine how is our dedicated fellow irisarians who make these many program ckets we can sell to the public. events possible. Many thanks to this year’s hosts, Please don’t be le out! The Greater Rochester Iris Society! It promises to be an excep onal mee ng, and I am certainly Happy gardening and we will see you looking forward to it. Oct. 20 and 21!
I hope that your iris beds are in be er condi on than mine! Last season was scary as we had D¹othy drought condi ons, but this year seems to have
New York Ontario Quebec Table of Contents
3 Region 2 Officials 4 Neil Houghton, New AIS Image Coordinator 5 Region 2 Annual Meeting - Chad Harris, Guest Speaker 6 Region 2 Meeting AGENDA and REGISTRATION FORM 7 Region 2 Meeting - HOTEL INFORMATION, SILENT AUCTION 8 Region 2 Meeting - LIVE AUCTION, Chad Harris Irises 9 Treasurer’s Report, Vaughn Sayles 9 Proposed Bylaws Amendment 10 Judges Training, Wendy Roller 11 Membership, Vaughn Sayles 12 Capital Hudson Iris Society, Euthemia Matsoukas 13 Greater Rochester Iris Society 12 Hudson Valley Iris and Daylily Society Iris, 15 Ontario Iris Society, Kate Brewitt Western New York Iris Society the 17 Western New York Iris Society, Carolyn Schaffner 19 Delightful Blooms, Kathryn Mohr Rainbow 20 Donations from Hybridizers for 2017 Annual Meeting Auction of the 23 Thanks to Hybridizers Who Donated to the Annual Meeting Garden 23 Iris Drawings by Neil Houghton 24 TB ‘Montmartre’, 2017 Dykes Medal Winner 24 Helpful Websites
The Newsletter of Region 2 of the American Iris Society is published twice a year and is e-mailed free to all members of the American Iris Society residing in Region 2 (New York State, Ontario, and Quebec.) Members without email may receive a paper copy by mail upon request. It is the member’s responsibility to advise of e- mail changes and to submit a written request for paper copies to the editor. Permission is granted to reproduce articles, with proper attribution, unless otherwise noted.
DEADLINES: Spring Issue February 15 Fall Issue August 15
Editor: Betty Schnellinger [email protected] 405 Maple Road, Corfu NY 14036 585-599-3502 3
Region 2 of the American Iris Society
Officers
President & RVP Dorothy Stiefel 260 Michigan Hollow Road, Spencer NY 14883 [email protected] (607) 589-7465
Vice President Kathryn Mohr 19 Roslyn Dr, Ballston Lake NY 12019-9748 [email protected] (518) 952-4995
Secretary Kate Brewitt 120 Glass Drive, Aurora ON L4G 2E8 Canada [email protected] (905) 841-9676
Treasurer Vaughn Sayles 640 Sheffield Road, Ithaca NY 14850-9253 [email protected] (607) 273-1355
Committee Chairpersons
Archives Dorothy Stiefel (See President) [email protected] (607) 589-7465
Bylaws Dorothy Stiefel (See President) [email protected] (607) 589-7465
Creative Money Vacant
Awards & Exhibitions Kathryn Mohr 19 Roslyn Dr, Ballston Lake NY 12019-9748 [email protected] (518) 952-4995
Judges Training Wendy Roller 158 Lida Lane, Rochester NY 14616-4133 [email protected] (585) 621-8985
Membership Vaughn Sayles 640 Sheffield Road, Ithaca NY 14850-9253 [email protected] (607) 273-1355
Newsletter Editor Betty Schnellinger 405 Maple Road, Corfu NY 14036 [email protected] (585) 599-3502
Youth Committee Joanne Maier 11 Anders Lane, Glenmont NY 12077-4401 [email protected] (518) 449-8480
Webmaster Kate Brewitt 120 Glass Drive, Aurora ON L4G 2E8 Canada [email protected] (905) 841-9676
Affiliate Chairpersons
CHIS Linda Knipper Capital-Hudson 15 Wiltshire Way, Schenectady NY 12309 [email protected] (518) 377-4987 Iris Society GRIS Cara Hutchings Greater Rochester 1996 N Clinton Avenue, Rochester NY 14621 [email protected] (585) 266-0302 Iris Society HVIDS Jim Robinowitz Hudson Valley Iris 10 Baldwin Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12603 [email protected] (845) 454-6415 & Daylily Society
ONIS Terrance Laurin Ontario 120 Glass Drive, Aurora ON L4G 2E8 Canada [email protected] (905) 841-9676 Iris Society SOIS Ed Jowett Southern Ontario 1960 Sideroad 15, RR 2 Iris Society Tottenham ON L0G 1W0 Canada [email protected] (905) 936-9941
WNYIS Carolyn Schaffner Western New York 464 Crescent Avenue, Buffalo NY 14214-1914 [email protected] (716) 837-2285 Iris Society 4
Neil Houghton, New AIS Image Coordinator
We enthusiastically extend congratulations to Neil Houghton, our new AIS Image Coordinator.
Neil is a member of AIS, in the Greater Rochester Iris Society (GRIS) affiliate. He has a long history growing irises and now proudly tends his collection of more than 500 cultivars.
Currently vice president of GRIS, he has served as membership chairman of Region 2, and has attended several national conventions where he became acquainted with various hybridizers and AIS officials and other AIS members. His prowess with computer skills became known, and he was asked to take on the position of image coordinator.
Neil describes his new role with AIS:
“I was appointed to fill this position at the AIS Convention in 2017. What does this job entail? I am working to understand that. The job description ensures that hybridizer photos are posted to the Iris Encyclopedia. The AIS registrar certifies new introductions, and the image coordinator then channels images of those introductions to the TWiki—a kind of bridge between registration and online encyclopedia posting.
“After talking with various people in leadership, including Gary White, AIS president; John Jones, registrar; Bob Pries, e-newsletter and encyclopedia guy; David Cupps, electronic media coordinator, I discovered that there were many different understandings of what the job is and what needs to be done.
“I want to make sure that I make image availability easier and more transparent. What I do not want to do is add another level of bureaucracy. I am currently working on a proposal to send to the AIS Board and to the AIS Strategic Planning Committee. These groups will, I hope, look at my thoughts and work with me to distill some short-term and long-range goals into actions that will bring the availability of quality, high-resolution photos of blooms, stalks, plants, gardens, and those who work to hybridize, sell and promote irises further into the digital age.
“Great things are being done in this area. We have some phenomenal resources in AIS and wonderful photographers. Recognizing and celebrating them should be one of our goals.”
We have every confidence in Neil’s contribution to streamlining and updating an already fabulous source of iris photographs. This project, provided by dedicated AIS members, is greatly appreciated and is a huge benefit to all iris aficionados. 5
Chad Harris Guest Speaker AIS Region 2 2017 Annual Meeting 7:30 pm Friday, Oct. 20 Dessert Reception Saturday, Oct. 21 8:30 am JT Judging Iris Ensata 1:15 pm Water Lovers of Asia 3:00 pm JT Judging Species-x Iris
Hosted by the Greater Rochester Iris Society Chad in a seedling field of Iris ensata.
Chad Harris of Mt Pleasant Iris Farm has been tolerant with cultural needs. Additionally, Chad growing many different species of irises in writes articles and gives talks on Japanese iris southwest Washington for more than 35 years. judging and culture. He is respected in the iris world as a Master Judge with the American Iris Society and for his At our Region 2 meeting he will lead two judges work with Iris ensata. Several of his training sessions: Judging Iris Ensata, and introductions hold national awards. He also Judging Species-X Iris. His main program, enjoys working with the Asian water species Iris Water Lovers of Asia: An Introductory Look laevigata. at Iris laevigata, Iris ensata, and the New Pseudata Species Cross, comes to us from his Currently he and a handful of hybridizers recent presentation in New Zealand. worldwide are using Iris ensata to create a new iris hybrid that is longer blooming and more http://mtpleasantiris.com 6
AIS Region 2 Annual Meeting AGENDA October 20 and 21, 2017 Hampton Inn and Suites, Thruway Exit 45, Victor, NY
FRIDAY 4:00 – 5:30 Registration 4:00 – 7:30 Silent Auction Setup 5:00 – 5:30 Audit by Affiliate Leaders 5:30 – 7:30 Dinner on your own. Many restaurants are near the motel. You can walk to Panera Bread, McDonalds, and The City Tavern (nice and ‘reasonable’) https://www.citytavernvictor.com 7:30 PM – Dessert Reception: Meet Chad Harris
SATURDAY 6:00 – 8:30 am Breakfast (complimentary for Hotel Guests) 7:00 – 9:00 am Silent Auction Set-Up 9:00 – 12:45 am Silent Auction Bidding 8:00 – 10:30 am Registration 8:30 – 9:30 am Training Session: “Judging Iris Ensata” – Chad Harris 9:45 am – 12:15 pm Region 2 Board of Directors Meeting / 10 minute break / General Membership Meeting 12:30 pm Buffet Luncheon: Meat, sides (at least one vegetarian), salad, dessert 1:15 – 2:15 pm KEYNOTE SPEAKER, CHAD HARRIS: “THE WATER LOVERS OF ASIA” 2:15 – 2:30 pm Silent Auction Payment 2:30 – 2:45 pm Live Auction! Harris Introductions 3:00 – 4:00 pm Training Session: “Judging Species-x Iris” – Chad Harris
✂------Fall Meeting Registration Form: AIS Region 2 AIS Region 2 Fall Conference Registration: $20.00 US (includes Saturday lunch buffet). Please complete an individual form for each person. Print, clip, and mail, including your check for $20.00 US, per person, made out to GRIS. Send to: Cara Hutchings, President Greater Rochester Iris Society (GRIS) 1996 North Clinton Avenue Rochester NY 14621 We must receive your forms by September 21, 2017. The program and lunch will be open to the general public for $20.00 US per person on a space available basis after that date. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY!
______Name as you wish it to appear on your name tag
______Address: # Street
______City, State/Prov., ZIP/Postal Code
______Local club (if applicable)
______E-mail Preferred Phone
I will attend the Training Session “Judging Iris Ensata” Yes No I will attend the Training Session “Judging Spec-x Iris” Yes No
For questions or comments: [email protected] or call Cara Hutchings, (585) 266-0302. 7
AIS Region 2 Annual Meeting October 20-21, 2017
Hampton Inn & Suites 7637 Pittsford-Victor Road Rte 96 (NYS Thruway Exit 45) Victor NY 14564 585-924-4400
Room Rate: Reduced room rates of $119.00 US ($139 US /Suite) are available until September 21. If you are staying at the Hampton, use the link below to make your registration on line: http://bit.ly/AISreg2-2017 ~ ~ ~ Last day to book at this rate is September 21, 2017 ~ ~ ~
These amenities are included in the above rates: • Complimentary Breakfast • Complimentary Wireless Internet • Complimentary Guest Parking • Indoor Pool & Fitness Center • Online Booking link or option to call in • Standard Room: King with Pull out Sofa or 2 DD beds • Suites have the separate bedroom along with kitchen and living room space, with pull-out sofa, full-sized refrigerator, freezer, stove top, microwave, sink & dishwasher
Directions: Take Thruway to Exit 45 toward Interstate 90. Immediately after toll booths, stay RIGHT, exit to Rte. 96. Turn Right on Rte. 96.
Silent Auction! Do you know what you’ll be offering for the AIS Region 2 Silent Auction? Please contact Cara Hutchings, GRIS president and coordinator for the Silent Auction, at [email protected] or (585)266-0302).
Cara is waiting to hear from you!
She will be pleased to answer your questions and address your concerns. 8
Chad Harris intros highlight the live auction at our annual meeting!
JI ‘Pagoda Temple’ R. 2017 True Hose in hose flower with rare double bloom, one inside another. Blends of red and blue violet.
Species-x ‘Violet Swallows’ R. 2016 “Pseudata”, very robust upright foliage covered with many bright violet blooms. JI ‘Flamingo Waltz’ R. 2014 This seedling will be sure to please with its lightly ruffled six to eight-inch blooms. Species-x ‘French Buttercream’ R. 2016 “Pseudata”, large round cream-colored blooms above the soft fountain foliage. A vigorous, large plant.
JI ‘Koto Harp Strings’ R. 2016 Bright blue violet with a sharp white ray pattern. 9
REGION 2 TREASURER’S REPORT August 14, 2017 Vaughn Sayles
As of August 14, 2017 the balances in the bank accounts for Region 2 are:
Checking Account $2, 224.85
Savings Account $3,620.49
Certificate of Deposit $3,591.01
There has only been one expenditure so far this year and that was a reimbursement for the expense of a round trip ticket for Chad Harris, guest speaker for the 2017 Region 2 Fall meeting in the amount of $628.60. The savings account has earned $1.05 and the certificate of deposit has earned $5.24.
If you have made expenditures for Region 2, please submit your reimbursement claims to so I can write checks in advance of the Region 2 Fall Meeting. Affiliate chairpersons are reminded that your annual donations to Region 2 are greatly appreciated.
If you are unable to provide a check before the Region 2 Fall Meeting, please advise me how much your group will be donating. Thanks in advance for your assistance in these matters.
PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENT, Dorothy Stiefel
At the Oct. 2016 Region 2 annual meeting, it was proposed that the Region amend its bylaws to allow additional meetings and business transaction via email. This has been done successfully by the American Iris Society at the national level for some time. Therefore, the Bylaws Committee proposes the following changes to our bylaws. Text to be added appears in bold print. ++++++++++ ARTICLE VIII—BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 2
The Board of Directors shall meet at least once annually at a time and place designated by the Regional Vice President. The Board of Directors may also meet and transact region business via electronic mail (e-mail), or via conference telephone call. These meetings and transactions will be reported in the next region newsletter. A printed copy of the report shall be placed in the permanent minutes book of the Region 2 Secretary. ++++++++++ As required in the bylaws, this proposed change was publicized in the Spring 2017 newsletter. We will be voting on the changes at the 2017 annual meeting Oct. 21. A two-thirds “yea” vote by those present is necessary to implement this change. 10
JUDGES TRAINING REPORT WENDY ROLLER
REGION 2 OF THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY – JUDGES and STUDENT JUDGES Status Roster – as of July 31, 2017
Active Master Retired Master Garden / Exhibition
David Baehre Daniel P. McMillen Kate Brewitt Joanne Bassett James McMillen John Colley Chuck Chapman Carolyn Schaffner Marilee Farry Maria Gerbracht Helen B. Schueler John W. Heimke Raymond Ives Kathleen Shadrack Terrance Laurin Donna James Shirley A. Varmette E.J. Mattson Eugene Koschara Ken Viner Vaughn Sayles Mildred Koschara Janette Smith Donna J. Lowry Candidate for Judgeship Mary J. Urist Maureen Mark Gloria McMillen Suzanne Perry Apprentice Judge Wendy K. Roller Mary Jane Shanley Jinny Missons Dorothy Stiefel
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
During the period August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017, Region 2 judges and student judges collectively earned 83 hours of credit for attending classroom and in-garden training sessions. The training sessions were held in Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, New York, and Ontario, Canada.
A summary of the judges training sessions offered within the Region 2 area during the last year is as follows:
• During the 2016 Region 2 Annual Fall Meeting event held in Cheektowaga, New York, AIS Emeritus Judge Carol Warner, iris hybridizer and owner of Draycott Gardens in Upperco, Maryland, presented a two-hour classroom course on “Judging Pseudata Irises.”
• AIS Garden / Exhibition Judge Terrance Laurin provided one-on-one Apprentice Judge in-garden tutoring in his garden in Aurora, Ontario, Canada.
• AIS Master Judge Wendy Roller provided one-on-one Apprentice Judge in-garden tutoring in her garden in Rochester, New York.
• AIS Master Judge Maria Gerbracht provided Apprentice Judge show tutoring during the Western New York Iris Society iris show.
• AIS Master Judge Joanne Bassett presented a two-hour in-garden course on “Louisiana and Japanese Irises” on two occasions in her garden in East Aurora, New York. She initially presented the course in June and then repeated the course in July.
• AIS Garden / Exhibition Judge Kate Brewitt presented the two-hour “Awards and Balloting” course at her home in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. 11
FALL, 2017 JUDGES TRAINING COURSES IN REGION 2
The Greater Rochester Iris Society will be hosting the AIS Region 2 Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The event will take place at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 7637 Pittsford-Victor Road (New York State Route 96), Victor, NY 14564.
AIS Master Judge Chad Harris will be the guest speaker at the event. In his presentation, “Water Lovers of Asia,” Chad will discuss iris ensata, iris laevigata, and the new species-X pseudata. Chad is an iris hybridizer and owner of Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm in Washougal, Washington.
Chad will also present two one-hour judges training sessions.
1. Judging Iris Ensata – Saturday, October 21, 2017 – 8:30 am – 9:30 am
2. Judging Species-X Iris – Saturday, October 21, 2017 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
2018 JUDGES TRAINING COURSES IN REGION 2
No judges training sessions are currently in the planning stages for the 2018 iris bloom season. Since all courses must be approved in advance by the Region 2 Judges Training Chairperson, please inform Wendy Roller if a judges training session is being proposed within the region for next year.
REGION 2 Membership Report August 14, 2017 Vaughn Sayles
As of July 31, 2017 the AIS membership list indicates that five people have joined AIS this year who reside in Region 2. Please welcome:
Anne Abram, Hamilton, Ontario Keith Riddick, Middletown, NY John and Anne Schwaller, East Greenbush, NY Ann Wetzel, Huntington Station, NY
At this time I have not been notified by any affiliate chairpersons of any new members who joined this year, becoming members as part of the 2017 Membership Challenge. Hopefully, the August new member list from AIS will have the individuals who signed up at the affiliate iris sales.
At the end of June last year the AIS membership list states that we had 155 AIS members in Region 2. At the end of July this year we have 150 members. 12
Capital Hudson Iris Society
Linda Knipper, Chair Don Salhoff, Treasurer Dan and Joanne Maier, Vice Chairs Euthemia Matsoukas, Newsletter Editor Virginia Dorwaldt, Secretary Kathryn Mohr, Iris Show Chair
2017 Calendar Mark your calendars now!
Sunday, September 17: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (approx. arrival time) CHIS Bus Trip to New York Botanical Garden and the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit.
Sunday, October 22: 1:30 p.m. CHIS Meeting, East Greenbush Community Library. Speaker (tentative): Douglass Paschall of the Historic Iris Preservation Society on their Guardian Garden project.
Sunday, November 19th: 1:00 p.m., CHIS Holiday Party. Pot luck luncheon, bring a wrapped gift if you’d like to participate in the gift exchange, door prizes include gift certificates to iris growers and garden centers.
December: No meeting
Note originally printed in the very interesting CHIS Newsletter:
View Colchicums
Come see one of the country’s largest collections of colchicums. Kathy Purdy, who spoke at the February Doldrums Party this year, invites gardeners to view the colchicum collection in her garden on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 11 am to 4 pm, rain or shine. Kathy has more than 50 different kinds of these fall blooming bulbs, many of which will be in bloom at the end of September. Each variety is labeled and attractively situated in the garden with companion plants. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunch and enjoy it on the screened deck. Set your GPS to 565 Moran Rd., Oxford, NY 13830. For more information call or text 607-843-7455 or email [email protected]. 13
Greate Rocheste Iris Society by Cara Hutchings, President
Neil Houghton, Vice President Nate Hutchings, Secretary/Treasurer
The Greater Rochester Iris Society recently had our iris sale at a local garden center. We have been there for three years now. People are getting to expect us, and they are very receptive to our new locations. That made this year our best year yet. We made quite a profit, and I would like to thank all the club members for their hard work and iris donations!
We are busy planning for the Region 2 annual meeting, being in the Rochester area this year. Don’t forget to register soon so you can be a part of this great event—we may have some surprises in store!
In the meantime, we will be having our regular meeting on Sunday, September 10t. We will be finalizing all our plans for Region 2.
We have moved our October meeting to November, November 12 to be exact. Wendy Roller will be discussing median iris. Join us if you can.
See you at the Region 2 meeting! 14
Hudson Valley Iris and Daylily Society
President Jim Robinowitz Vice President Georgette Martin Treasurer Bill Larson Secretary Sue Rivard
HVIDS Summer Sales were cancelled due to medical issues. Unfortunately, Frank Sorbello is mending from a medical procedure and I broke my arm. PS See you on September 10 at our first Fall meeting.
Calendar of Events
Sept 10 HVIDS MEETING
10 Steps to Great Garden Design by Andrew Sino at Aloys Restaurant in Poughkeepsie, starting at 3:00 pm. He is the Head Gardener at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Andrew is a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill with a B.S. in Plant Science focusing on Ornamental Horticulture. As always, our meeting is free and open to the public. Immediately following our meeting, there will be a Pizza/salad “after party” free to 2017 paid members. Non-members are invited to participate at a cost of $5.00 each - please join us! Beverages are not included.
Oct 1 HVIDS MEETING:
Rock Gardening presented by Don Dembrowski in the Community Room of the Marlboro Free Library, 1251 Route 9W, Marlboro, New York. We begin gathering at 1:30 pm for socializing, snacks, and beverages, and the meeting starts 2:00.
Nov 5 HVIDS MEETING
Dan Bachman, guest speaker, in the Community Room of the Marlboro Free Library, 1251 Route 9W, Marlboro, NY. We begin gathering at 1:30 for snacks and beverages, and the meeting starts at 2:00. 15
Ontario Iris Society
President: Terrance Laurin Vice President: Jinny Missons Secretary/Editor/Webmaster: Kate Brewitt Treasurer: Lyn Hickey Even though they had just returned from the Median Iris Society Convention in Lafayette, Indiana, Terry and Kate eagerly opened their garden gate for another President’s Open Garden on May 22nd. Before visitors arrived, there was some quick tidying of the beds and a count of the iris clumps in bloom. At 120 clumps, last year’s record of 110 was broken! Visitors were greeted by an eye-catching clump of ‘Teagan’, proving it a worthy candidate for this year’s Cook-Douglas medal. Surprisingly though, it was not the most popular iris in the garden. That honor went to Paul Black’s SDB ‘Pussycat Pink’. It was so popular that most visitors insisted on taking a rhizome home with them. Other favorites included SDB ‘Murphy’s Law’ (Jones, 2004), SDB ‘Sonador’ (D. Spoon, 2011), SDB ‘Eye of the Tiger’ (Black, 2008) and SDB ‘Pink Twilight’ (Niswonger, 1998).
‘Teagan’ ‘Pussycat Pink’ ‘Murphy’s Law’
‘Sonador’ ‘Eye of the Tiger’ ‘Pink Twilight’
Our annual flower show was held June 4th at the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG). Like every year torrential rains fell the night before the show. Just the same, eight exhibitors managed to enter over 40 show-worthy bloom stalks. It was a very successful show with lots of members and visitors to the Toronto Botanical Garden dropping by to admire the flowers. Awards were given as follows, RD Little Trophy – Queen of the Show: TB ‘Quantum Leap’ (Sutton 2004), exhibited by Kate Brewitt. 16
Toronto Region Award – Princess of the Show: TB ‘No Place Like Home’ (Black, 2011), exhibited by Lyn Hickey. Verna Laurin Plaque - Best Historic Iris: TB ‘Champagne Elegance’ (Niswonger, 1986), exhibited by Kate Brewitt. This iris was also awarded the Region 2 Ethel Anson S. Peckham Award. W.J. Taylor Trophy - Best Seedling: TB 01-49-01, exhibited by Jinny Missons. F.W. Caulfield Trophy - Highest total points in the Tall Bearded classes – Terry Laurin. AIS Silver Medal: Terry Laurin with three 1st place and seven 2nd place ribbons. AIS Bronze Medal: Kate Brewitt with three 1st place and five 2nd place ribbons.
TB ‘Quantum Leap’ TB ‘No Place Like Home’
TB ‘Champagne Elegance’ Seedling 01-49-01
Iris lovers from various parts of Ontario were at the TBG for our annual iris rhizome auction and sale on August 13th. There was a wonderful selection of newer introductions from Barry Blyth, Tom Burseen, Thomas Johnson, Keith Keppel and Schreiner’s provided by Tara Perennial Farm, Helen Tengesdal and Jim Hall. Afterwards table sales allowed shoppers to buy more iris rhizomes at unheard-of prices. These were generously donated by members from their personal collections. Overall it was another successful year for ONIS. We are currently planning our annual meeting for late October or early November. Terry Laurin, President Ontario Iris Society [email protected] 17
Western New York Iris Society by Carolyn Schaffner, President
Western New York Iris Society is very fortunate. We’re small but we’re strong! I’m not meaning to slight our dependable, tried and true (read long-time) members, Maria Gerbracht and Joanne Bassett, who are ALWAYS on hand as needed. So, here are some Stars that are out tonight: STAR LIGHT
Since I joined the Society way back in the 1980’s, David Baehre has been our WNYIS Treasurer. He’s kept our records, prepared our budget each year, and paid our bills. He has even been indispensable at our iris shows — usually winning and winning. Then he found the fish were biting, so he’s decided that’s a much more lucrative pastime and resigned as treasurer. He will still be growing superb iris, carrying our tables to the sale, and winning at the iris shows.
Here’s David, right, and left, an homage to his love of nature his artistic flair.
STAR BRIGHT
Our iris show was a huge success in. It was late, June 17, and bloom stalks were scarce. In hopes (and successfully) of a more spectacular show, we had a Division for Perennials as Companions. Although not counted on the record sheets, the display attracted many visitors. Marilee Farry, right, made pleading, productive phone calls, recruiting ten people to enter Artistic Displays and round out our show. 18
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT
Our busy group became larger as a result of the Region 2 Membership Contest. We are really lucky to have Annette Kuhn among our newest and ambitious members. Here she is, left, with her Best Design at an earlier show.
She has taken on the job of PR, using her visual education display, below, at Plantasia, at the WNYIS show, and at the Erie County Fair.
WISH I MAY, WISH I MIGHT . . .
So, August is our public sale, and September is our picnic and planning meeting. We’ll certainly use ideas from other affiliates and their newsletters for programs and activities.
In October, WNYIS is moving to a “permanent” meeting place — the Lancaster Public Library on Broadway in that town, and to a “regular” meeting day — first Sunday each month. This is a radical move. Since I joined (didn’t I already say that?) we’ve met in members’ homes with pot luck or finger food refreshments. Have moe visitos at or new meeting site. 19
Delightful Blooms from Kathryn Mohr’s Garden
SiGNA variegata SDB ‘Spiderman’ Donald Spoon, R. 2004
SDB ‘Lucky’ Paul Black, R. 2016
SDB ‘Eye of the Tiger’ Paul Black, R. 2008 20
Donations from Hybridizers for 2017 Region 2 Annual Meeting Auction
From Mount Pleasant (Chad Harris)
Also: JI ‘Pagoda Temple’ JI ‘Flamingo Waltz’ JI ‘Koto Harp Strings’ Species-x ‘Violet Swallows’ Species-x ‘French Buttercream’ 'Aaron's Blue' 'Whispering Clouds' (Gabriel Lecomte, R. 2014) I. laevigata See pictures (Chad Harris, R. 2016) Parentage unknown; on Page 7. seed from SIGNA. Chad’s 2017 laevigata introduction This French hybrid will be introduced introduced by Chad Harris in the US NEXT YEAR!
From Mid-America
‘Marble Statue’ TB ‘Pale Sunlight’ TB (Black ‘17) (Black ‘17)
‘Perry Dyer’ (Black ‘17) AB
Paul Black’s new Arilbred named for his longtime friend, mentor, and dedicated supporter of AIS. 21
From Sutton Iris Gardens
'Quiet Beauty' TB 'Fruit Works' TB (Michael Sutton, R. 2016). (Michael Sutton, R. 2016)
Another Sutton beauty! Delicious.
From Keith Keppel
Black Lipstick' TB 'Marital Bliss' TB (Keith Keppel, R. 2015) (Keith Keppel, R. 2016)
Highly admired in Des Moines; a A showy, peachy pink dazzler. new elegant take on “black.” 22
From Stout Gardens at Dancing Tree
'Backtrack' SDB ‘Winkin’ SDB ( Hugh Stout, R. 2016) (Michèle Bersillon, R. 2013) The beard and stigmatic lip of this Start your ‘Winkin’, Blinking and SDB make a wonderful lavender Nod collection! focal point.
'Church Lady’ TB 'Kewlopolis' SDB (Tom Burseen 2017) (Hugh Stout 2017) SDB Really vibrant and unusual markings. Splendid mix of pink and purple tones! Hint of a horn. A stained glass You need it, just for the name. statement!
'Divenere' SDB (Hugh Stout, R. 2016)
Classy SDB! 23
Borglum donations were unknown at the time of publication.
We are immensely grateful for the beautiful irises generously provided by these hybridizers for our 2017 AIS Region 2 Annual Meeting:
Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm Stout Gardens at Dancing Tree PO Box 346 432 NE 70th St Washougal WA 98671 Oklahoma City OK 73105 (360) 835-1016 (405) -642-4190 mtpleasantiris.com www.stoutgardens.com
Sutton’s Iris Gardens Keith Keppel Iris PO Box 7900 PO Box 18154 Star ID 83669 Salem OR 97305 (208) 297-8995 (NEW NUMBER) Call (503) 391-9241 [email protected] after dark Pacific time suttoniris.com www.keithkeppeliris.com
Mid-America Garden Borglum’s Iris Gardens PO Box 9008 2202 Austin Road Salem OR 97305 Geneva NY 14456-9118 (503) 890-6072 (Voice/Fax) [email protected] www.beardedirisflowers.com (585) 526-6729
Another special feature of the AIS Region 2 Annual Meeting are the fabulous drawings by GRIS member Neil Houghton. Will you be a proud owner of one of Neil’s beautiful art work? 24
2017 Dykes Medal Winner
TB ‘Montmartre’ (Keith Keppel 2008)
Photo by Aitken’s Salmon Creek Gardens, from the AIS Encyclopedia. See the list of all 2017 AIS Iris Awards at: http://www.irises.org/pdf/AISawards2017.pdf
Join the AIS! http://www.irises.org
Stay up to date with the latest information about the annual meeting:
AIS Region 2 Web Site http://aisregion2.org/region2_013.htm GRIS Web Page http://rochesteriris.blogspot.com
Other interesting and informative web sites:
American Iris Society http://www.irises.org AIS Iris Encyclopedia http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view Canadian Iris Society http://www.cdn-iris.ca