Check Out the Iris Encyclopedia

The American Iris Society has a great resource in their Iris Encyclopedia!  It is a wiki that contains information about a majority of the irises registered with AIS - currently they have 73% of the registered iris cultivars included, most with images of their blooms.  Note their instructions on searching for particular iris names - enter your search term(s) and then check the boxes for search Topic Title and search All Public Webs.

In addition to cultivars, the encyclopedia includes a number of general iris topics.  For example, the American Dykes Memorial Medal page lists the winning irises, with a link to their pages, the hybridizers registering them, and has a picture of each winning iris.  Another source, if you are looking for irises to consider adding, are the Popularity Polls.  This is the 2011 Tall-Bearded Symposium Popularity Poll, which has the top 50 and their pictures for quick examination.  It also includes a link to the second 50 from this same poll.

Because it is a wiki, you can both use it and help to improve it.  Anyone is welcome to search it.  And by registering, you can improve existing articles and see that missing ones are created.  Also, you will be able to  add observations, such as reblooming dates for particular cultivars at your location, which could help hybridizers in developing other cultivars.

AIS Region 21 Affiliates and Websites

The American Iris Society is divided into 24 Regions.  Irises Across Iowa is part of Region 21, which includes Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, NWT, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  These are the nine Region 21 Affiliate Clubs listed on the AIS website and links to their websites where I could find them.

• ELKHORN VALLEY IRIS SOCIETY
• GREATER OMAHA IRIS SOCIETY
• LINCOLN IRIS SOCIETY
• MONUMENT VALLEY IRIS SOCIETY
• PLATTE VALLEY IRIS SOCIETY (Facebook)
• SIOUX EMPIRE IRIS SOCIETY
• SIOUXLAND IRIS SOCIETY
• IRISES ACROSS IOWA
• CAN-WEST IRIS SOCIETY 

If anyone knows of websites for the others, please let us know so we can include them.

Region 21 Fall 2012 Meeting Held August 11 at Gering Nebraska

The Fall 2012 meeting of Region 21 of the American Iris Society was hosted by the Monument Valley Iris Society at the Gering Convention Center August 10th and 11th.  It is a beautiful location and had an enthusiastic bunch of attendees.

 The outstanding speakers, arranged by Carolyn Lingenfelter, covered various aspects of judging and irises:

• Dell Perry "Putting on an AIS Iris Show"
• Catherine Long Gates "Judging Siberian and Spuria Irises"
• Lowell Baumunk "Medians"

 A general session included both Region 21 business and upcoming iris meetings.  News included:

• Looking at electronic version for the Region 21 newsletter
• Reminder to send copies of pictures and articles to Bob Flick our historian
• The Region 21 Library has reference material available for loan.  Contact Librarian Marjorie Jensen
• Kelly Norris's book "A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts" will be added to the Library
• Region 21 website will be another source of news and happenings
• Bylaws committee reviewing and revising the Region 21 bylaws
• Ianthe Shadegg was elected to a 3 year term as a Director
• Elections next year will include RVP, Secretary-Treasurer, and one Director 

Upcoming meetings include the 2013 and the 2014 AIS Conventions - both in Dallas.  Dell Perry described the gardens convention goers will be able to visit.

Upcoming Region 21 meetings are:

• Spring 2013 - Sioux City, Iowa
• Fall 2013     - Omaha, Nebraska
• Spring 2014 - Lincoln, Nebraska

After a great banquet, the guest speaker was Catherine Long Gates on the History of Long's Gardens.  The meeting ended with an iris auction.  Irises ranged from San Francisco, the 1927 Dykes Medal winner, to 2012 introductions Open Hearth, Carla Beth, Evadna Gay, Isabel Marie, Jeff's Guardian Angel, Ordination, Put Upon, Ring of Honor, and Wicked Cool.

Thank you to everyone who helped organize this meeting!  It was a great chance to learn more about iris, meet more iris lovers, and find some irises to plant now.