Last Saturday we held our second accredited show of the year and I would call it a great success. We had over 200 entries in horticulture, about 20 seedlings and 20+ artistic designs. Weather has been nice and the entries were in lovely shape. We had good attendance by the public and set-up and take-down went smoothly. A great show. Here are some pictures........



























A very nice seedling



Secret Society


Dazzling Gold in a design


Haunted Heart


Gypsy Lord



Jazz Band



Novel Idea



Musica Romantica



Physic Reader



Orangutan Orange


Queens Circle


Royal Sterling



Rainbow High


World Premier



Some designs..........

What a wonderful show you had. Indeed it did occur in the peak of bloom. I help with set-up and sometimes take down. The excitement runs high among exhibitors and they really want their best irises to show off. I don't exhibit but I love to be there for the set-up when the growers are so proud of their blooms. I would recommend that people who attend an iris show bring their camera and a pad and pencil to take iris notes.

Wow ! Thanks, Paul, for posting those! Looks like you had a wonderful show ....Arlyn

I only took 4 specimens this year because I was co-chair and rather lazy. Also, my warm bed was winding down and another bed barely starting. I'm glad others brought plenty to fill the show tables. I have a bunch more pictures that I will add later. I have quit taking notes but always take a picture of the tag before I take one of the iris. I have stopped making lists of iris I would like because there were getting to long.....

Yes, and I am making dual lists now. but still..... The reason I take a notepad is because sometimes I like to note the thickness of the falls or the underside color of the falls, etc without relying on going to a database where it may or may not be listed. Photos are the best record and the CAIS has a wonderful photographer but sometimes I like to either put its name with a couple of plus marks denoting that I need to get it a.s.a.p. or just note that looking at it makes me happy.

Those wish lists DO grow, don't they !?...Arlyn

Don't keep us in suspense Paul -- did you place with any of your entries?

The show looks absolutely wonderful. You are so lucky to have so many Iris *fans* in your area -- who are willing to do the work to participate. I would love to attend one -- we don't have anything like that around here.

P.S. I love Rainbow High. And Royal Sterling. And -- and -- and............... But I still don't understand why Queen's Circle is a Dykes winner................

Nice Paul, thanks for sharing. I'm with you Mary Ann, I haven't really liked queen's circle that much. Now her offspring, Jinny Mitchell, is another story.

I took 2 SDBs, 1 IB and 1 BB. The judges pick several of the top blue ribbon winners to be considered as Best Specimen. This group each receive a premium which is a recent iris rhizome later at our sell. My BB Niche was in this group, Embarrassed to say I didn't take a picture. Niche is a fine BB. Look at the pictures on the data base. It looks like a smaller version of Gypsy Lord. My pictures of Queens Circle don't do it justice. It is a very nice iris.

Well congratulations to you!! I just knew you had done well.

I wasn't basing my opinion (on Queen's Circle) on your photo. I have it. To me, it's disappointing. I have Northern Mist and find it a superior Iris -- here, anyway. Maybe Queen's Circle just doesn't do well in my climate, or in my soil, or something.

Queens Circle has not been great in my garden but I have seen some remarkable show stalks. Guess that is what I was basing my judgement on. Garden performance is the most importance.....

I like Queens Circle because it seems to match its name. Elegant, delicate, formal and not as showy as say...... Honky Tonk Hussy. I would expect Hussy to be flashy and or bold.

Thank you for the photographs, Paul. Better than last year's group! Is that third design photograph Bumblebee Deelite?

I think it is BD..........

Yea! I finally have ONE Iris I can identify on sight!!!

Tom -- I haven't seen Jinny Mitchell.............

Bumblebee Delight looks like big bumblebees, doesn't it?

My Ginny Mitchel will be blooming soon, Mary Ann

Bumblebee Deelite is a favorite miniature tall iris. Our TBs have not opened as yet. My MTB seedlings were not open which was disappointing as I wanted people to see them. My 'Twilight Calm' won a 2nd which was very nice of the judges because instead of the usual 6 buds, it had 4. Flower was good though--here is a garden photo of the flower taken several years ago by a friend.

That's a nice one ,Lucy ! It would look super in a clump!...Arlyn