What a day! My memory of last year's blooms generated excitement about what I would see. The spectrum of iris blooms at the annual open garden was beyond my expectation. Favorites of the day are here for you to enjoy. Many are new and not yet available in their catalog. Judges' training in the garden couldn't have been better with AIS Pres. Ron teaching from the varied display. And, all the treats that followed were so tasty :)

Tyler Arborboretum hosted a beautiful display of the best iris of each grower. A constant stream of visitors allowed members to do a lot of teaching about iris.

DVIS member Daphne Sawyer shares photos of her 2008 visit to see siberians grown by Marty Schafer and Jan Sacks. Their private garden in Carlisle, Massachusetts is called Joe Pye Weed's Garden.

Here's a small taste of Harold's iris to wet your appetite. Visiting and viewing Harold Griffie's display garden and field of iris on 5.26.08 was a truly exquiste, unique afternoon. He and his wife are committed to selling the best iris, old and new. Seeing cultivars that grow well in Pennsylvania, learning about hybridizers' good growers, and listening to Harold's lifetime knowledge of iris growing helped me to make selections of iris that will grow in my own garden. Thanks Harold.

The Carol Ann Moyer Iris Garden is located within the HENRY SCHMIEDER ARBORETUM of DELAWARE VALLEY COLLEGE, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The Delaware Valley Iris Society contributes cultivars, maintenance, and financial support to this educational living laboratory. In 2007, this garden is listed as a display garden of the Median Iris Society section of the American Iris Society. Visitors are welcome to the arboretum every day of the year.

April 14th was the grand opening for the season with PIXIE KISSES MDB showing its blooms. This third year since its major make-over is promising a spectacular display. Proudly, our 2007 Community Greening Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has been added to the Carol Ann Moyer Iris Garden.

Album of photos taken at the garden of the hybridizer Eleanor Kegerise on June 1, 2006. Many clumps have grown in place for several years yielding beautiful blooms.

Visiting Gary's garden was a dream beyond my wildest iris imagination. May 24th was a peak bloom day that I am delighted to share from my camera's view. Being there is way better! You need to smell the penetrating fragrance everywhere, too.

Even with the on and off showers, all visitors enjoyed the blooms that Joan Wood so caringly grows. It was a super place to have the two hour iris judge's in-the-garden training 5.16.08. Capturing pictures of as many blooms as possible before dark helps to keep the memory alive.

Come with me to Joan's May 22nd garden day at her home garden. Not only is Joan a devoted Show Judge but also is a fantastic iris grower. I was in awe the entire time I was walking thru the bloom aisles.

Tyler Arboretum hosted the annual show. More than a hundred visitors enjoyed the blooms on display. One comment that a visitor made that was overheard emphasized the grand show..."I'm glad I didn't have to judge that, it would have been very difficult".

It was enjoyable to see Brett's blooms on 5.25.08. Most were different from my visit last year and exciting to photograph. Enjoy.

The Garden State Iris Show on May 27th was a joy for the serious hybridizer Brett Butler with all the ribbons he acquired. Experiencing his garden afterwards was even better. Outstanding plants grow in the front, side and back gardens. Next year, I need to come earlier to view the first bloomers. Brett, thanks for the treat.

Visiting Scott's new iris garden is a most delightful experiece. It looks as though he's grown iris for years in the way that they are so artistic placed around his garden. Enjoy!

Sharing the blooms seen in 2006 during visits to Vince's, Charles's and Ron's gardens.

This international prize winning iris hybridizer was given recognition in Bordentown, New Jersey, with a garden of many of his iris creations available for the public to view. My visit was 5.27.07 a little past the peak bloom this year.

Stan Gray allows visitors to view his private display garden during bloom season. It is an awesome quality garden to see the progression of hybridizing through Dykes Medal winners and current award winners. Details about this garden are on the website graysirisgarden@comcast.net. If you can't visit, I do hope you enjoy my camera's view.

Matt and Jen Cunningham are continuing the family business of growing outstanding iris. My early spring visit was spectacular with beautiful blooms of SDB's, IB's and Arilbreds. The open garden day, June 2nd, had a wonderful display of tall beardeds. Enjoy.