SALE - redux and reduced.

If you missed our sale, here's another chance to save BIG on quality iris. Prices are reduced.  No iris over $4.  Locally grown Tall Bearded iris $3. Medians $2 and grab-bag "orphans" 2/$1.  Buy 3 get one free. There is a great selection of iris rhizomes!  Other perennials will be available for sale.

NEW Meeting Location!

We have a change in venue! Our regular meetings this year will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Honeoye Falls, NY.  We hope this may encourage some of our Southern Tier friends and AIS members to join us as it may be a tad closer.  It is also an easy drive of about 30 minutes from Rochester. The Village of Honeoye Falls is lovely.

Directions:
There is a Google Maps link in the box to the right.  Use this or your GPS to get to 11 Episcopal Ave., Honeoye Falls, NY 14472.  Please be aware that "Ave." in Honeoye Falls means alley.  The church is set back and not visible from W. Main Street (Rte.94).  The founders apparently thought Episcopal Alley was not seemly.

Once you have found the church, the parish hall will be to your right.  That is where we will meet.

From Rochester and Points North:
Take Rte. 65 (Clover St.) to Honeoye Falls. Go straight through the stop light (please stop if it is red).  Do not follow Rte. 65 which turns left. The first right turn is Episcopal Ave. The church is at the end of this.
OR
Take 390 South to exit  11. Follow signs to Rte. 251 East.  Follow through Rush to the traffic circle at Rte. 65.  Take the first exit in the circle heading south on Rte. 65 (Clover St.) to Honeoye Falls. Go straight through the stop light (please stop if it is red).  Do not follow Rte. 65 which turns left. The first right turn is Episcopal Ave. The church is at the end of this.

From Points South.
Take I-390 north to exit 10. Follow Rtes. 5 & 20 East to Lima.  Turn left onto Rte. 15A North. Bear Right at Rte. 94 following the sign to Honeoye Falls.  When you enter the village watch for the traffic light.  On your left you will the post office a block BEFORE you reach the light.  Episcopal Ave. is on the left immediately past the post office. Turn left on Episcopal Ave. the church is at the end of this.
OR
Find your way to Lima via 15A or  5 & 20. Follow 15A north and follow the instructions above.

Winterberry: The Spoons 2014 Intros

In northern Virginia, Winterberry Gardens specializes in reblooming irises.  They also have, to our delight, a fine collection of historic iris.  Looking to fill in your Dykes Collection?  You may find some of the ones you're missing here!

This is our favorite for best dressed from Ginny Spoon! Perky falls with the wind-blown look that would make Marilyn jealous with a whipped dollop apricot standards.  The colors of photographing a canyon at sunset are stunning.  Bravo, Ginny!

'Rainbow Canyon' TB (Ginny Spoon 2014)37" M yellow orange standards; medium rose purple falls with glowing yellow sunburst and greyed orange borders (Conjuration X My Ginny).. $50

'Rainbow Canyon' TB Ginny Spoon 2014

Here's something that will brighten up a garden. Simple elegance.

'Kaw' TB (Ramon Jones 2014) 35" ML diamond dusted bright yellow flowers with pure white centers and bright yellow 1/4" borders; white beards tipped orange red (Chariots of Fire X Bombay Gold).. $50

'Kaw' Ramon Jones 2014

Fireballs.  A favorite as a kid and a big bucket was on my desk as a treat for the well behaved student, until that became frowned upon.  I can taste the sweetness and watch the red dissolve to white.

'Fireball Candy' TB Re zone 6 (Don Spoon 2014)34" M & Re greyed red standards; cardinal red falls with greyed orange edges and undersurfaces, creamy white to yellow sunburst around orange beards... $50

'Fireball Candy' TB (RE)  Don Spoon 2014

Can't tell you exactly what caught our eye here.  Maybe the gentle inward curving architecture of the standards and the radiating white on the falls.  We just like it!

'Clipper' TB (Don Spoon 2014) 35" ML medium violet blue self with showy white zonal; white beards tipped orange (Tall Ships X Suky).. $50

'Clipper' TB Don Spoon 2014

In the pursuit of red this looks pretty darned... red!

'Red Hot Momma' TB (Don Spoon 2014) 36" ML flag red complete self; flag red beards tipped orange (Rogue X Dynamite)fertile both ways... $50

'Red Hot Momma' TB Don Spoon 2014

The intermediate, 'Ricochet Rabbit' has sweetness with a heart of flame.

'Ricochet Romance' IB 27" E-M buff pink standards, edged light orange, pale violet plicata markings; pastel yellow falls, pale pastel violet plicata rim that darkens to soft wine at hafts; tangerine beards, small horns(Paul Hill/Winterberry 2014) $30

'Ricochet Romance' IB Paul Hill/Winterberry 2014

Yep.  Hunger Games can be in your garden with this standard dwarf.  A flash of vibrant color to think of Jennifer Lawrence in a dress of fire darting through your garden.

'Katniss' SDB (Ginny Spoon 2014)10" ML vibrant purple violet with darker fall spots; prominent white beards tipped spectrum red (Zap X Cara)fertile both ways...$20

'Katniss" SDB Ginny Spoon 2014

All photos are from the Winterberry website.  Find out what else is new by clicking here.

Keith Keppel 2014 Intros.

Keith Keppel has been a consistent award winner for many years.  Visit his website to learn more about his scaled back operations. We are happy indeed that he continues to introduce some fine new hybrids.  This year he introduced 7 TBs and 2 IBs.

Some of our favorites:

So many introductions are bold and flashy.  Here is a 'Gentle Reminder' of the pastel combination that brought us 'Celebration Song,' a Dykes winner.  Here pale yellow standards and lavender falls create a beautifully shaped bloom.  The beard highlights the blend of these two colors.  Lovely.

'Gentle Reminder' TB Keppel 2014

Here the color combination of 'Celebration Song' is brought to mind but with richer tones and with incredible ruffles and delicate veining.  The orange on the beard draws the eye into the center of the t 'Arrivederci' a ravishing confection.

'Arrivederci' TB Keppel 2014

'Boston Cream' is creamy fluff ball.  The full standards and broad falls come together in perfect form.

'Boston Cream' TB Keppel 2014

Want some Keppel elegance in a more manageable size? 'Love's Moment' is an intermediate bearded with gentle drama.  It appears that this cultivar produces a beautiful clump.

'Love's Moment' IB Keppel 2014

See all of Keith Keppel's new and recent intros visit his web gallery.

New at Schreiner's: TB's and Paul Black's SDBs

Schreiner's has introduced 19 new tall bearded iris for 2014, but the big surprise in their catalog was driven by the new interest in medians.  A collection of 5 new introductions by Paul Black ($79.95) will certainly be well received by aficionados and general public. For many Schreiner's catalog may be their only exposure to newer introductions. They will be made more aware of the under 27.5" classes of irises.

Visit Schreiner's website.

'Wings at Dawn' is a space age beauty with fully formed spoons.  For those that like bright, multi-colored and showy, this is sure to please!  (It's offered a a free bonus with minimum purchase of $50).

'Wings at Dawn' TB Schreiner 2014

 Schreiner's offers newer TBs at prices as high as $65.  This top dollar offering is 'Glorious Sky.'  It certainly has interesting features.  Erect yellow standards and a two layered rim around a 'glitter dusted' fall are featured on this 40" TB.

'Glorious Sky' TB Schreiner 2014

In the amoena category, the deep blue-violet falls and radiating white pattern make this a beautiful 40" TB iris! 'Tidal Raves' is nicely ruffled and has the lighter under-colored falls that make ruffles more dramatic.  $50

'Tidal Raves' TB Schreiner 2014

One of the 2014 Paul Black Collection, 'Fire' is a 12" SDB eye-catcher. $20

'Fire' SDB Paul Black 2014

October Newsletter!

Greater Rochester Iris Society

an Affiliate of the American Iris Society

September 2013 newsletter

Editor – Cara Hutchings

Welcome to what hopefully will be a wonderful fall after enjoying a delightful summer!  We certainly have been lucky this summer.  We had a great show to start off and a very successful sale at the height of summer.  Thanks to all members for all your help, participating in the show, donating iris for the sale, and working the sale!  Oh, and don’t forget the great time we had at the picnic!  Special thanks to Barb Veomett for hosting the picnic at her beautiful house.

    

Our next meeting is coming up fast.  It will be on September 8^th at 2 pm at Monroe County CCE, 249 Highland Ave.  We have a lot to discuss, as we will be going over the budget and doing some planning for next year, since we would like to devote as much time as possible to our October speaker (more on that later).  We will also be having a presentation by Neil Houghton on our new website, http://rochesteriris.blogspot.com and how to use the Internet to have a better garden (hmm…. can you really grow a better iris on the internet?).  and Betty Schnellinger will be showing how to use our yahoo group to its best advantage.  That is found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GRISiris. Check things out before the meeting, and let us know your questions then!  We will be having elections at our October meeting, so anyone planning to run for an office needs to let Wes Hyde, our election chairperson, know by the end of the September meeting. 

M.J. Urist in her iris garden with Betty and Jim

In October, we will be presenting a very special guest, MJ Urist from Tully, NY.  She started growing Louisiana Iris (on a dare) in 2007, and hasn’t stopped growing them since!  There are over 150 registered and introduced varieties in her gardens, with several hundred seedlings under observation.  We feel very fortunate to have her speak on October 13^th.  She also likes to share her love of Louisiana iris, so she may have a few surprises in store for us.

  

On October 18-19 we will be hosting the Region 2 fall meeting. We will need everyone’s help to make this a success.  On Friday, we will have a judge’s training session with our speaker, Stephanie Markham of Toadland Gardens in Norfolk, MA. Afterwards will be a dessert/social hour featuring our great cooks in the club (yes, I'm talking to you, you great cooks!).  On Saturday will be the actual board and member meetings in the morning, followed by a terrific lunch, and then Stephanie will again speak about her hybridizing efforts.  Everyone who has heard her speak says she is quite personable and a great speaker.   I am looking forward to it! 

  

We will be having a silent auction, with a chance to bid on iris hybridized by Stephanie, as well as other items.  And again, we need your help.  As you go around to garage sales and flea markets this fall, check and see what iris or garden related items there might be.  Please consider purchasing them and donating them to the silent auction. 

  

So please consider bringing a friend to a meeting (an extra Rochester Rewards when they do, and 5 extra if they join!) and don’t forget, we need to lock the doors of the CCE 15 minutes after the start of the meeting!

A Very Successful Sale!

'Wabash' TB Dykes Medal Winner, 1940 .. 2 left.  Read on.

Many people left with great irises at great prices,  GRIS made money for our on-going program, and many attendees learned how to divide, treat and plant irises.  It was a great day!

Jim and Betty got our sign in place well in advance.

The day of the event we were so busy no one had time to take pictures.
After hours of work, Nate took a well deserved break....

... but not for long!

Wendy's median advice was invaluable.

Demos and advice from a group of irisians really enjoying themselves!

The remaining stock was moved to 3873 Rush Mendon Road, Mendon, NY.  Come on down to see what's left through Saturday.

Koda likes the sign.  We'll be selling great home grown rhizomes through the end of the week.

Here area few of the cultivars left.  None are more than $3.00.  2 of those 1940 Dykes Medal winners.  Don't know what that is? Come find out!

'Chanted' SDB

'Princesse Caroline de Monaco' TB

'Spring Fresh' SDB

The Annual GRIS Iris Sale on July 28

Iris flowers represent shades of every color of the rainbow as well as pure white and darkest purples and violets that approach black. With heights ranging from several inches to several feet, they offer months of springtime glamour to the smallest or largest garden.

 

Beginners and expert gardeners alike will find something to enhance their gardens at our Annual Iris Rhizome Sale. We’ll have exciting 2013 introductions and time-tested favorites from Aitken’s Salmon Creek Gardens along with healthy, home-grown varieties from members’ gardens and other local growers.

Iris aficionados and experts will be available to answer your questions about planting, growing and caring for this most spectacular flower.

The sale will take place Sunday, July 28 from 10 PM to 2 PM at the Cornell Cooperative Extension. 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY (Directly across the street from the Highland Park lilac display area)

Watch this blog for more details on irises that may be available!

Report from Our Iris Show

Here is a report of the results of our Iris Show at Marketplace Mall on June 2. This was the first in years but it was so well received it won't be the last!

Best of Show - Pacific Mist

   Click here to see more pictures

98 bloomstalks - 12 exhibitors

Best of Show       TB Pacific Mist                    Dorothy Stiefel
1st Runner-up      MTB Little Paul                   Wendy Roller  
2nd Runner-up     TB Stairway to Heaven       Wendy Roller

9 Best Specimen of Section Rosettes were awarded:

    Dorothy Stiefel        Sections B, D, and M

    Wendy Roller           Sections E, H/I, and J

    Neil Houghton          Sections A and F

    Cora Roller               Section K

AIS Silver Medal         Wendy Roller         11 blue ribbons
AIS Bronze Medal       Dorothy Stiefel        9 blue ribbons

Artistic Design Division - 7 exhibitors - 12 designs in 3 classes

Best Design of Show - "Some Enchanted Evening" by Mary Kofron