This month I finally joined the AIS because I simply couldn't wait another minute to read the long-awaited results of the annual Tall Bearded Popularity poll, in which, by the way, all members can vote, not just judges. As I seem to recall, the ballots had to be received by somewhere in September, but it always takes forever for the results to be put up online.

I am always interested to see what new irises have made it onto the list, which ones have fallen off the list, how quickly are certain new ones zooming up the ranks, which relatively new ones are already falling, and which old ones continue to hold steady or even rise.

Well, anyway, right after I paid my $15 for e-membership, they finally posted the results of the 2018 popularity poll online. It's at https://www.irises.org/pdf/201... . Do go look at it if you have not already seen the results in your Winter 2019 AIS bulletin.

I enjoy printing it out so I can do all sorts of written analysis all over it, and look up images of the new ones online. It helps me to decide what I simply must try to squeeze into my postage stamp-sized garden.

Oh, and right after I paid my $15 fee for AIS e-membership, they sent me a $25 voucher (welcome gift) for new irises. What a deal! So now I have a box of new irises on order. More lovelies to squeeze into my gardens!

for posting this, Daisy!

I was surprised that they sent me another voucher when I changed from a one to three year membership. Haven't decided where to use it but leaning toward Winterberry.

I voted in that poll, but wonder how many people voted just on looks. I considered how well it grew too in my votes. Very happy to see Burseen getting some love. Surprised by some of them that fell off the list. And that Thornbird sure gets around!

I was surprised by how many I have on that list... at least 19 (not sure about a few others). I'll maybe add a couple more on the list to the garden (where, I don't know).

I was also surprised that MAGNIFICENT MASTERPIECE dropped off the list. I had maiden bloom last season, and the bloom is just gorgeous, with beautiful surface texture. Pictures don't do it justice. AND it has PBF! It's a keeper HERE!

Irises don't fall off the list because they aren't doing well, just replaced by others which are doing better, Irises seen at conventions sometimes replace the 'tried & true'. We all like new stuff. Since we grow fewer TBs than other types, it depends on how many I have seen in other gardens.

for sharing the list with us Daisy

for sharing!!! Where's those Spoons!!! But did I vote, Nooio!!! So should I complain, Noooo And with Leslie!! Glad to see some Burseens on the list. I finally got off my tail and joined AIS but don't think I joined the electronic one.

I actually like the electronic membership better, because it's cheaper and saves trees. And I like that I can look through and read all the old electronic issues.

Depending on what ends up on the ballot this coming fall, I have already made some headway in deciding which 25 I will vote for this time.

"Irises don't fall off the list because they aren't doing well, just replaced by others which are doing better."

That made me curious to see which was the oldest one still hanging in on the list. It's Mary Frances, from 1973, and still ranked at #50 of the top 100. And people, I have her, and she's a beauty. Everyone should have her, because she is amazing with perfect form and gorgeous color.

Oops, I'm wrong. Stepping out is even older than Mary Frances, and still ranked at 26. These are oldies but goodies apparently. I seem to recall that Stepping Out was #1 on the list for many years,until it was displaced downwrd by Dusky Challenger, which now also has persisted as #1 for many years. Dusky Challenger deserves the honor.

Jesse's Song has remained high on the list for many rears, but I predict this plicata, as well as stepping out will eventually be surpassed by ink patterns, which is rising. When I look at the en masse appearance of a clump of ink patterns, I far prefer it to the en masse appearance of a clump of jesse's song or ink patterns. Look at these photos,and see if you agree.

Jesse's Song:

Stepping out:

Ink Patterns:

In these first two, when I look at them en masse, I feel like I am seeing predominantly white spots before me. But the contrast in the plicata of ink patterns is gentler. I like that in the en masse appearance. What do you think?

Also, Ink Patterns is extremely floriferous and a strong grower. I've grown it for several years and it never fails me.

"Also, Ink Patterns is extremely floriferous and a strong grower."

Yes, that's the impression the photos in the database give. That's another reason that I predict that Ink Patterns will surpass the other two. I am thinking that I also prefer the etched inky blue-purple edge of Ink Patterns over the magenta-purple edge of Jesse's Song or the mid-purple edge of Stepping Out. But that's a highly individual preference, I'm sure.

I used to have Jesse's Song, incidentally. Very pretty, but it didn't survive during my years of chronic illness. And now I am finding the more I see of Ink Patterns, the more I prefer it.

"Also, Ink Patterns is extremely floriferous and a strong grower."

Yes, that's the impression the photos in the database give. That's another reason that I predict that Ink Patterns will surpass the other two. I am thinking that I also prefer the etched inky blue-purple edge of Ink Patterns over the magenta-purple edge of Jesse's Song or the mid-purple edge of Stepping Out. But that's a highly individual preference, I'm sure.

I made an error in my post above. It should have read, "When I look at the en masse appearance of a clump of Ink Patterns, I far prefer it to the en masse appearance of a clump of Jesse's Song or Stepping Out."

I used to have Jesse's Song, incidentally. Very pretty, but it didn't survive during my years of chronic illness. And now I am finding the more I see of Ink Patterns, the more I prefer it.

Oops, I'm wrong. Stepping out is even older than Mary Frances, and still ranked at 26. These are oldies but goodies apparently. I seem to recall that Stepping Out was #1 on the list for many years,until it was displaced downwrd by Dusky Challenger, which now also has persisted as #1 for many years. Dusky Challenger deserves the honor.

Jesse's Song has remained high on the list for many rears, but I predict this plicata, as well as stepping out will eventually be surpassed by ink patterns, which is rising. When I look at the en masse appearance of a clump of ink patterns, I far prefer it to the en masse appearance of a clump of jesse's song or Stepping Out. Look at these photos,and see if you agree.

Jesse's Song:

Stepping out:

Ink Patterns:

In these first two, when I look at them en masse, I feel like I am seeing predominantly white spots before me. But the contrast in the plicata of ink patterns is gentler. I like that in the en masse appearance. What do you think?

GreenIris said: for sharing!!! Where's those Spoons!!! But did I vote, Nooio!!! So should I complain, Noooo And with Leslie!! Glad to see some Burseens on the list. I finally got off my tail and joined AIS but don't think I joined the electronic one.

Elsa - if you have the regular AIS membership you also have access to everything on the electronic membership.