Looking back on 2018 the members of The Greater Portland Iris Society had a very busy year. The first event we invited Patrick Spence and wife Margaret from our sister club King County Iris Society, Seattle, WA to give a Judges Training on “Pacific Coast Irises”.
They did a fine job of refreshing us to the many different species and wonders of this small class of iris found in and around our own backyards.
“Hortlandia” the next event and first plant sale of the year is always fun. Located at the Portland Expo Center (under a roof and in a dry warm room) we are but one of many specialty nurseries selling all kinds of plants.
Our shows are are sanctioned by the American Iris Society and are judged by credited iris judges. The early show has been held at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby, Oregon for several years.
At this show we team up with the Ikebana Schools of Portland. Supplying some of the iris and foliage for them to build fanciful and artistic table displays.
The late show was held at Portland Nursery. Here the iris are much taller so instead of staging them on tables for the judges. We place them on the ground so that they may be judged with ease.
As you can see some of the later variety of iris can be very tall, almost shoulder height. Terry and Barbara of Aitken’s Salmon Creek Garden built a very nice display of the late iris.
Many of the club members made arrangements using the smaller blooms of Spuria, Siberian, and larger of the Japanese.
Later in the summer Portland Nursery hosted us for two separate plant sales. In August we offer bearded iris to the public. These are washed, and labeled ready for their new home, your garden.
Club members all chipping in to sort and properly place the iris getting ready for the public sale.
September finds us doing the same but for the beardless classes of iris. These include the easy grown Siberian, Spuria, Species, and the more demanding Japanese.
Yes 2018 was a busy year, so will 2019 as these are the shows and plant sales that we have each year. Interested? Check out the web calendar and mark the dates. If you so happen to catch the “iris virus” join us we are all gardeners just like you.