I belong to the Monterey Bay Iris Society in Santa Cruz. We have a couple of members that drive a couple hours to come, but they're just nuts (about Iris) and belong, and are active in, several clubs. A few folks come from the San Jose area, and may also belong to the club over there. We have a lot of fun. It took me years to get up the gumption to go to a meeting full of strangers..
Our sale is next Saturday (are you coming Rob??). Last year we sold out in an hour. All the Iris are labeled. Some of the folks staple a picture onto the fan. Others bring a picture to put on the box. There are a mixture of some very recent introductions, some historics, and a lot in-between. Some are beautifully grown, big fat rhizomes, and some are more modest.
Most of the folks that come are just folks that want something pretty for their garden.... with a few under-the radar enthusiasts. I went to the sale for many years before I revealed myself
One year I asked Joe Ghio to just pick out a few for me.. He was throwing just about everything into my bag enthusiastically describing each one... I think I went home with 20 or so... That was when I turned the corner to the dark side
