Draft for SSI conference Ames IA 2025

The 2025 Society for Siberian Iris /SIGNA Joint Convention in Ames, Iowa, was a glorious study in contrasts. As this was my first iris convention, I had no idea what to expect. Driving from Des Moines to Ames I found myself staring out the window, catching sight of Baptisia minor in full bloom along the interstate. Coming from Upstate New York, where the seasons had only recently begun to creep into spring, the weather in Iowa was quite a shock. Apparently, Ames had already experienced multiple days above 90°F and was actually experiencing a cold spell during the convention.

Since I had arrived early, I took advantage of the time before the first garden tour to zip over to the nearby Reiman Gardens. These botanical gardens at Iowa State University were a suggested side-trip for anyone attending from out of town. I was surprised by the glorious Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at the entrance. Despite being told by the docents that there were hundreds of individual butterflies inside, nothing prepared me for being surrounded by butterflies of every shape and color. The profusion of metallic blues and bright reds evoked irises in flight. I didn't have enough time to tour the entire botanical garden, but the sections I did visit gave me a glimpse into how large-scale gardens use Siberian irises and what they choose to plant with them. In this case, they planted Caesar's Brother, a stalwart Siberian, alongside bright yellow Baptisia sphaerocarpa. The contrast between the purple and yellow under the glaring afternoon sun was eye-catching for sure! It was also notable that they had planted the irises under the cover of trees.

Upon returning to the convention registration, I retrieved my co-pilot for the first garden tour, and we zoomed off to visit the garden of Kris and Tom Jurik. Tucked in at the end of the neighborhood, there is nothing to suggest the treasure of a garden that lies beyond the roadside hedges. The upper part of the gardens nearest the house is full of mixed perennials, shrubs, and trees. Once into the garden proper, I struggled to take in the expansive plantings of hostas (many hundreds of varieties) amidst a mature grove of tall trees. Beyond the lovely cool plantings, the paths through the garden opened up onto a flat sunny terrace full of bearded irises in full bloom, accompanied by the guest Siberian irises. Guest irises are a major component of conventions since it gives the hybridizers an opportunity to share their newest introductions and seedlings. Everyone lined up with their phones and cameras, oohs and aahs at the ready. Knowing that we would be returning the following day for Judges Training, I made one quick pass through the guest irises, promising to return when the light was favorable for better photographs.

In my opinion, the best-looking irises in the guest iris beds were: If Swans Were Blue (Hollingworth), Full of Beans and Spin and Glow (both from Schaefer and Sacks). Dean Cole's Amethyst Frost was in fantastic form.

When I could draw my eyes away from the expansive beds of hostas and the irises, I realized there was a whole part of the garden down the hill, that stretched nearly to the river's edge. This space was filled with over a thousand different varieties of peonies. There is no way to convey the awe of being surrounded by such a profusion of bloom. It was a sea of color! Of course, interspersed here and there were large flowing clumps of Siberian irises. Tom and Kris had put out a wonderful array of food and beverage, while the guests took advantage of the shade and comfy outdoor seating. A very relaxed dinner gave attendees a time to chat and catch up, to talk about how strange the spring had been, what plants had survived/thrived/died. Too soon darkness caught up and it was time to return to the hotel.

The next morning our first stop was the garden of Lois and Jack Girton. It is impossible to be prepared for a garden devoted to the collection of Saunders' peonies. It was a living museum; capturing the hybridization efforts of A.P. Saunders and his contributions to the peony world. Filling in the spaces between magnificent herbaceous and woody peonies were wonderful clumps of Siberian irises of all varieties. At every turn, discussions circled around to the effect of planting Siberian irises with other shrubs and peonies and perennials.

The guest irises at the Girton garden were fewer due to limited space. According to the convention brochure, the Girton garden initially had only two guest irises, with the remainder on display having being purchased after they had been introduced. As a result, many were quite small. In the Girton garden, the most impressive irises were Spin and Glow (Schafer/Sacks), Wish Me Luck (Schafer/Sacks) and Sun and Mist (Schafer/Sacks). Dean Cole's Amethyst Frost had yet to open but was very clearly going to make quite the show in the next week. Seeing so many beautiful mature clumps of irises surrounded by astounding peonies was awe inspiring.

All too soon, we had to hop back on the bus and mosey on to the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens in Madrid, IA. Lunch was enjoyed among the many acres of cultivated gardens, native woodland, and prairie restoration at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens. Just outside the Arboretum gift shop, Lois Girton generously signed copies of her new book: A Tyranny of Peonies: The Life of A.P. Saunders.

The guest irises took center stage upon one's entrance into the arboretum. Due to the extremely hot and dry summers of 2023 and 2024, there were quite a few guest irises here that had died. The most impressive surviving irises were: Will You Wear Red (Schafer/Sacks), Spin and Glow (Schafer/Sacks), Full of Beans (Schafer/Sacks). Bob Hollingworth's seedling 14V17A1 (now registered as 'Miz Liz') was quite the stunning performer with a profusion of gently ruffled creamy yellow blooms.

The next stop for some was back to the Jurik garden for the judges' training session with Jan Sacks, Marty Schafer and Patrick Spence. As a newcomer to growing Siberian irises and the hybridizing process, my eyes were opened as to what judges are looking for. Whether it be branching and bud count, or the behavior of foliage after blooms have faded, these aspects need to be taken into account when judging the entire plant. These concerns (and more!) were brought up again during the evening presentations from Marty Schafer, Jan Sacks, and Patrick Spence. Unfortunately, many of the seedlings that had been sent to the convention for review were in a distressed state and weren't appropriate for review. One thing I took away from a side conversation was the value of reviewing the iris in question for multiple years before considering it for introduction. Jan Sacks described how those detailed assessments of each iris under consideration are collected and reviewed.

After returning to the hotel, it was time for the banquet and silent auction. While we waited for everyone to arrive for dinner, Tom Jurik shared the photos he had taken throughout the convention, on the big screen. Later, the presentations of Marty Schafer, Jan Sacks and Patrick Spence dove into their respective hybridizing efforts. Seeing the plants being considered for introduction was a behind-the-scenes opportunity to see the editing process necessary in hybridizing. Marty and Jan shared images of their latest irises, including their efforts towards a true orange! Patrick shared his experiences growing and hybridizing the 40-chromosome Siberian irises. After seeing such rich, dark colors, I think most everyone wished they had the ideal growing conditions for them too! Patrick traded hats and admirably performed the duties of auctioneer while taking bids on irises (and peonies!). Margaret Spence and Lois Girton tallied the winning bids and prepared final receipts for all the winners.

One of the things that makes a convention like this so special is the opportunity to meet new people and to ask questions in person. All of the presenters and guests alike were approachable, kind, and generous. As I boarded my flight back east, I reflected on the new friends I had met. Even while writing this article, my head is still swimming with the people I met and the ideas that resulted from the convention!

Images below - with annotations