DVIS eNewsletter

D E L AWA R E VA L L E Y I R I S S O C I E T Y A N A F F I L I A T E O F T H E A M E R I C A N I R I S S O C I E T Y

President: Carol Ann Moyer, 4692 Woodfield Circle, Doylestown, PA 18902, (215) 794-7257, Carol@dvis-ais.org

Vice President: Anne McNelis, 6120 Twin Silo Drive, Blue Bell, PA 19422, (610) 203-4211, missannemc@aol.com

Secretary: Ron Thoman, 1010 Wiggins Way, West Chester, PA 19380-3312, (610) 719-6081, Ron@dvis-ais.org

Treasurer: Laurie Dunne, 330 Clothier Springs Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460, (610) 933-6505, naima212121@gmail.com

June 2017

www.dvis-ais.org

There are many excellent varieties of

bearded and beardless irises for

members and the public to acquire at

bargain prices.

The sale is the only DVIS money-

maker. But just as important, it pro-

motes named iris varieties to the gar-

dening public.

For your convenience, a number of

photos of iris varieties will be availa-

ble at the sale. And if you have a

smart phone, it can be used to ac-

cess iris photos from the internet.

In previous years, many of you con-

tributed irises for the sale, for which

we are very thankful. Because the

number of customers grows larger

each year, we do ask for your contin-

ued generosity.

We encourage all of you to donate

irises, even if you have not done so

before. It is a very worthwhile way to

recycle your increases. The "HOW

TO" is given on the next page.

If each member would divide and

bring the rhizomes from just one

clump of one variety it would be very

helpful. It would be a shame to run

out of irises and disappoint even a

single customer.

Volunteers — and this includes our

newest members — are needed to

set up, close up, organize the display

tables, work the hospitality table, help

customers with selections, check out,

and more. You will find helping at

the sale is a rewarding experience.

Just show up and we will put you to

work.

A coupon for a free iris is on p. 4.

You are encouraged to make copies

of the coupon for friends and fami-

ly.

Spreading the word (and the coupon)

by email and social media is an ex-

cellent way for you to participate in

the success of the sale. Won’t you

share your joy of irises?

After we all help to close the sale and

clean up, we will enjoy a bring-your-

own picnic lunch together in good

fellowship and camaraderie.

Set Up 8:30 a.m.

Sale 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Close Up 1 p.m.

Bring-Your-Own Picnic Lunch

1:30 p.m.

Rhizomes (No Pots)

Bearded Dwarf & Median $2

Tall Bearded $4

Beardless* and Species in Bags $4

In Pots

Bearded Dwarf and Median $3

Beardless* and Species $6

Special Bonus With a total purchase of $30 or more, you can select a free iris up to a $4.00 value (two for $60, three for $90, etc.).

New Member Bonus

Join on Sale Day and select a free iris up to a $4.00 value

*Beardless:

Siberian, Louisiana and Japanese

Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens 631 Berwyn-Baptist Rd., Devon, PA

Directions: www.JenkinsArboretum.org or call (610) 647-8870

Saturday July 15, 2017

Schedule

Sale Chair

Victoria Buckley

vgbuckley@yahoo.com

(610) 682-0895

Rain or Shine

Cash or Checks Only

The 2014 introductions from last year’s AIS National Convention are

offered for purchase with pick-up on DVIS Sale Day. All DVIS, GSIS,

SIS and Region 3 members are invited to participate. See p. 3 for more

information.

Convention irises which are 2013 introductions and older will be availa-

ble at the DVIS Sale to both members and the public at the standard

prices listed at the right.

Sale Chair: Victoria Buckley Show Chair: Vince Lewonski Publicity Chair: Anne McNelis

eNewsletter Editor: Ron Thoman Associate Editor: Chris Huston Hospitality and Membership Recruitment Chair: Nancy Thoman

Auction Co-chairs: Vince Lewonski & Gary Slagle Open Garden Chair: Jen Cunningham

Meeting Arrangements Chair: Ron Thoman New Member Welcoming Chair: Ron Thoman Potluck Hosts: Jeanette & Ray Bawer

DVU Iris Garden Project Chair: Carol Ann Moyer Webmasters: Carol Ann & James Moyer

Members-At-Large: Doreen & Dave Duncan, Larry & Debbie Westfall and Joan Wood

p. 2 June 2017

HOW TO

Preparing Rhizomes

for the Sale Below are pointers for preparing your

rhizomes for the sale:

1. Dig and divide the

clump within the week

of the sale for a fresh

look. Choose only

named varieties.

They should be

healthy, showing no

signs of disease, or

insect and iris-borer damage. It is im-

portant, furthermore, that the rhizomes

be large enough to have the potential

of blooming next year. We want our

customers to get their money‘s worth.

Give small rhizomes to friends, line

them out in your garden, keep them

attached to a larger rhizome or discard

them.

2. Clip leaves to about 10-inch long

and into a fan shape (inverted V).

3. On the middle leaves, as shown in

the illustration, print the required infor-

mation with a black permanent marker

(Sharpie). (The information to be

marked on the leaves is described in

the next article.) Don't print wider than

a single leaf or across the leaves.

Avoid printing on the outside leaf since

it is the first to turn brown.

4. It is important to have

clean plants. After marking,

clean all residual dirt from

the rhizomes, roots and

leaves. Swishing up and

down in a 5-gal bucket of

water works well.

5. Some people then like to

soak the rhizomes for 10 to 15 minutes

in a Clorox solution of 1/2-cup Clorox

to 1-gal water. If you do this, wear

rubber gloves to protect your skin.

Afterwards, it is necessary to rinse the

irises well in clear water.

6. Let the rhizomes dry completely.

Laying out the fans on the grass out-

side in the shade and turning once

works well.

7. Store with the fans spread out in a

cool, dry place. Your basement or

garage may be a good choice.

Marking the Leaves

To help both the buyers and the sale

workers, the leaves of the irises should

be marked as follows:

For all irises, write the name and

color. Only named varieties

please. Descriptive and exciting

colors sell better; e.g., “electric pur-

ple”. This is especially important

for the harder-to-sell purples, laven-

ders, blues, violets and bi-colors.

For other than tall bearded, write

the type: MDB, SDB, IB, BB, MTB,

etc.

Indicate spaceage (SA), rebloom-

ing (RE) or broken color (BC) irises.

For irises with a particularly nice

fragrance mark FRAG.

Pots, bags, or their tags should be

marked in a similar manner.

Delivering Your Irises

When you deliver the irises to the sale,

please take the time to properly place

them in the correct location. The table

areas are marked by color and type.

You know best where they belong.

And double check that they are

marked properly.

Daylily Events Daylilies are the perfect accom-

paniment to irises. They extend

the bloom season, flowering

right after the Japanese irises.

Like irises, great things are hap-

pening in daylily advancement.

Our sister organization, the Del-

aware Valley Daylily Society,

has two upcoming events:

Daylily Show Saturday July 8, 2017

Longwood Gardens

Kennett Square, PA

Open to Public:

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Daylily Sale Saturday August 26, 2017

Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens

631 Berwyn-Baptist Rd.

Devon, PA 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Pick up a coupon for a free day-

lily at the hospitality table at the

DVIS iris sale.

Editor’s Note: We have a reci-procity agreement with DVDS to publicize each other’s show and sale. It is a win-win situa-tion.

Please support DVDS events.

Coming

DVIS Events

Dig Day 7-08-17

Iris Sale & Conven-

tion Iris Pickup 7-15-17

Potluck & Auction 9-16-17

Joint DVIS &

Region 3 Meeting 11-05-17

Dig DayDig DayDig Day for for for

DVIS Iris SaleDVIS Iris SaleDVIS Iris Sale Hildenbrandt’sHildenbrandt’sHildenbrandt’s

Iris GardenIris GardenIris Garden 4245 Lovers Lane

Slatington, PA 18080

Saturday Saturday Saturday July 8, 2017July 8, 2017July 8, 2017

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.9 a.m. to 4 p.m.9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers Needed

Contact George Hildenbrandt

grh3@psu.edu

(814) 571-6839

Directions:

www.hildenbrandts-

irisgarden.com

Please Bring A Bag Lunch and Drink

Dig Day is at Hil-

denbrandt’s Iris Garden

again this year. Dig Day

is a very important way to

supplement the irises

contributed by our mem-

bers.

If you can volunteer the

whole day or part of the

day, please contact

George Hildenbrandt so

that we know how many

helpers to expect.

Lots of help is needed to

cut leaves, mark the

leaves, clean, pack, clean

up the debris, etc. How-

ever, you will not actually

do the digging.

Here are some points to

remember:

Bring gloves and sun

protection (although

most work will be in the

shade). Tables and

chairs will be available.

Bring something to eat

and drink for lunch.

Occasionally a small

rhizome is intentionally

left attached to a larger

one because we do not

want to sell rhizomes

that are too small to

bloom next year.

Please, therefore, leave

the small rhizome at-

tached.

The marking scheme

given on page 2 should

be used. Note that ex-

citing color descriptions

sell better.

On Dig Day, older con-

vention irises will be

available to volunteers at

specially reduced prices.

p. 3 June 2017

PrePre--Order Order Convention IrisesConvention Irises

Last year, the AIS National Convention was held in our

Region 3. There were many new guest irises on display in

the host gardens. The increases of the 2014 introductions

are now offered for purchase and pick-up at the DVIS Iris

Sale on July 15, 2017. All DVIS, GSIS, SIS and AIS Re-

gion 3 members are eligible to participate in this special

offering.

The order sheet is on page 6. An attached list of the avail-

able 2014 introductions is on page 7. The price is $6.00

for tall bearded irises and $5.00 for median bearded irises.

You can pre-order as many varieties and as many of a sin-

gle variety as you would like, pending availability.

Your best chance to get your favorites is to order early as

orders will be prioritized by postmark. Since supplies are

limited, it is suggested that you order additional irises, put-

ting a dollar limit on the total. Place an ’S’ in front of the

varieties you intend as substitutes.

Perhaps you have seen these 2014 introductions blooming

in one of the convention gardens. Photos of most of the

varieties are posted on the DVIS website www.dvis-

ais.org for your viewing. Alternatively, you may go to

the Iris Encyclopedia at the AIS website www.irises.org to

see a photo of the variety.

George Hildenbrandt needs to receive your orders by July

6, 2017. George will bring your order to the DVIS Iris

Sale for pick-up and payment. At pick-up, pay George

separately from the other Sale irises for separate account-

ing. A portion of the revenues will go to AIS to help de-

fray convention deficits.

JUDGES’ CORNER JUDGES’ CORNER

By Ron Thoman

We have previously discussed the im-

portance of a strong mid-rib. However,

there are other factors that also contribute

to a flower’s strength and substance.

Some of these include the following:

Petal thickness

Petal structure

Ruffling

Touching standards

Note that ‘Unconditional Love’ takes

touching standards a step further. The

touching standards are interlocked togeth-

er with its ruffles. This should result in a

flower with greater durability to rain, wind

and heat.

‘Unconditional Love’

Ghio TB 2010

Photo: R. Thoman

Mid-Season Iris Show On May 21, 2017, the Mid-Season

Iris Show was held at the Jenkins

Arboretum & Gardens in the John

J. Willaman Education Center.

We had a steady crowd of visitors

throughout the day for the wide

variety of iris types on display.

Show chair Vince Lewonski states

that there were 10 exhibitors, 82

stalks, 79 different cultivars and 9

arrangements.

Best in Show and Best Spe-

cies: i. pseudacorus v. bastard-

ii, Svetlana McCoy- Rusanova

Best Seedling: GDH 142-10,

TB, Gary Slagle

Best Historic: ‘Minnesota

Mixed Up Kid’, Svetlana

McCoy- Rusanova

Best MTB: ‘Dividing Line’,

Brett Butler

Best Siberian: ‘Silver Edge’,

Vince Lewonski

Best TB: ‘Pretty as a Picture’,

Brett Butler

Runners-ups on the head ta-

ble: ‘Pretty as a Picture’,

‘Dividing Line’, ‘Lady of the

Night’ (BB) Brett Butler, and

‘Light Verse’ (i. versicolor)

Larry Westfall.

Best Arrangement: Svetlana

McCoy-Rusanova

Silver Medal for most blue

ribbons (6): Svetlana McCoy-

Rusanova

Bronze Medal for 2nd most

blue ribbons (5): Brett Butler

Thanks go to all who contributed

to a successful show including our

exhibitors and workers, and to

those who came to see the irises.

We very much appreciate our

judges, Joyce Corrin and Theresa

Walkup, for their excellence in

judging.

We are grateful to Jenkins Arbore-

tum and Gardens for providing an

ideal setting, and to their dedicated

staff for all their assistance.

Coupon for a Free Iris Your Choice Up to $4.00 Value with Purchase

Iris Sale Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens

Saturday July 15, 2017 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Delaware Valley Iris Society www.dvis-ais.org

Only one coupon per customer Expires after 7-15-17

Copying encouraged Give to a friend

Svetlana McCoy-Rusanova with Her Best in Show

i. pseudacorus v. bastardii

All Photos: R. Thoman

Gary Slagle

demonstrates

proper stalk

grooming at

his garden.

Visitors enjoy a beautiful show.

Judges Theresa Walkup and

Joyce Corrin take another look.

p. 5 June 2017

All Photos: R. Thoman

1,300 varieties in a well groomed commercial garden

Buddy Walters and Dee Hagg

Proprietors

‘Eyes Don’t Lie’

Burseen 2016 TB ‘You’re My Sunshine’

Fan 2011 TB

Order Sheet

SALE OF CONVENTION IRISES 2014 INTRODUCTIONS

Tall Bearded Irises $6.00 each Median Bearded Irises $5.00 each

All DVIS, GSIS, SIS and Region 3 members are invited to participate. Multiple rhizomes of each variety may be

purchased subject to availability. Indicate the number of rhizomes you want of each variety in the space before

the variety. Keep in mind that quantities of a variety may be limited; therefore, please select additional varieties.

Mark substitute choices with an ‘S’ in front of the varieties. Your best chance to get your favorites is to order ear-

ly, as orders will be prioritized by postmark. Pickup and payment is on DVIS Sale Day on 7-15-17. Please make

payment for convention irises separate from payment for the normal sale irises so we can track receipts. Pay by cash

or check. Make checks out to DVIS.

My Name: ___________________________________ Phone __________________Email __________________

My Total Price is not to exceed $________

Desired

Number

Each

Variety Name Official

Use

Total Number Tall Bearded ______ Total Number Median ________

TOTAL PRICE

Send to George Hildenbrandt, 4245 Lovers Lane, Slatington, PA 18080; grh3@psu.edu; to be received no later than 7-6-17

p. 6 June 2017

2014 Irises available for preorder prior to July 7, 2017

List many varieties to use as substitutes and extras

IrisName Type Hybridizer IrisName Type Hybridizer

TB varieties -

Quite Ahh Sight TB Burseen, Tom

Aello TB Miller, Lynda Rainbow Canyon TB Spoon, Ginny

Ashley Noel TB Spoon, Don Risk Taker TB Johnson, Thomas

Better Together TB Schreiner's Royal Retinue TB Headrick, David

Betty Ford TB Kerr, Fred Ruth Holbrook TB Spoon, Don

Beyond Bubbles TBSA Burseen, Tom Simply Coral TB Black, Paul

Beyond the Reef TB Johnson, Ben Snow Day TBRE Sutton

Bouncing Blue TBRE Spoon, Don So Unusual TB Filardi, Bruce

Bubble Baby TB Burseen, Tom Step Back TB Burseen, Tom

Cool Change TB Schreiner's The King Is Coming TB Headrick, David

Crunch TB Burseen, Tom Three Part Harmony TB Black, Paul

Damsel In A Dress TB Schreiner's Tidal Raves TB Schreiner's

Deal or No Deal TB Black, Paul Tina's Gift TB Spoon, Bryan

Debutante's Lace TB Sutton Triple Dip TB Black, Paul

Eramosa Peach Sorbet TB Chapman, Chuck Voyager TB Filardi, Bruce

Escape from Boredom TB Black, Paul Wild and Crazy TB Black, Paul

French Lessons TB Kerr, Fred Will & Adelle TB Lauer, Larry

Gilded Girl TB Price, Nancy Sights Unlimited TB Burseen, Tom

Go Lightly TB Miller, David Wampanog Warrior TB Hedgecock, J.

Good Golly Miss Molly TBRE Headrick, David

Good Morning Sun-shine

TB Johnson, Thomas

Median varieties - $5.00 each

Hearts On Fire TB Painter, John Between Jobs IB Miller, Lynda

Hico Huggins TB Burseen, Tom Breakfast_in_Bed MTB Bunnell, Charles

Husky TB Black, Paul Burn Notice SDB Chapman, Chuck

Ittle Dew TBRE Price, Nancy Coral Sunrise MTB Miller, Lynda

Legal Eagle TB Burseen, Tom Devin SDB Spoon, Don

Loretta Ann TB Headrick, David Early Harvest BBRE Aitken, J. Terry

Midnight Rose TB Painter, Lesley

Fairy Sprinkles MTB Markham, Stepha-

Miss Fluffy TB Markham, Lynn Fashionable One MTB Fisher, Kenneth

Morpheus TB Miller, Lynda Gate to Paradise SDB Black, Paul

Not a Clue TB Sutton In the Zone SDB Chapman, Chuck

Organic Mechanic TB Burseen, Tom Mescalero IB Smith, Marky

Quackery TB Filardi, Bruce

p. 7 June 2017