Page 21 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021 - Online Magazine

My love for irises launched me into becoming a If you have any questions on growing irises or how to
Certified Judge for iris shows. I worked on it for about get your irises to bloom better, look me up at Amarillo
two years before I could become certified to judge. I Botanical Gardens. The North Plains Iris Society now
enjoy traveling all over Texas and New Mexico to judge has about 300 irises located in the north back side parking
shows. I still enjoy growing and showing my own area. Remember, iris plants need six hours of direct
irises from my garden, too! In 2019, I won the Silver sunshine a day and well-drained soil free of weeds. Irises
Medal in our local show, winning 19 blue ribbons. I will start blooming in April. Bring your camera to take
have also won the Bronze Medal several times. pictures and enjoy the Gardens!

I had the opportunity to meet Tom Burseen, a
wonderful guy who is one of the best iris hybridizers
in the USA. Tom works on crossing irises to develop
the new Space Age Iris. He grows and sells some
of the best Space Age Irises on the market. Tom has Saturday
crazy names for the new irises that he registers with
the American Iris Society! Sometimes, he names a May 8, 2021
new iris after Region 17 people. Last year, Tom asked 2 - 4:30 p.m.
me to pick out one of his new irises and name it. We Amarillo
agreed on “Amarillo Bill” for the one I picked. Tom Botanical Gardens
has “Amarillo Bill” for sale in his 2021 collection. So,
I hope in two years, I will have some to share at our RHIZOME SALE Saturday
annual iris sale! Choose from hundreds of July 10, 2021
beautiful and unusual iris hybrids
In 2019, our Amarillo Iris Club turned 50 years old in grown by NPIS members 8 a.m. - sellout
the American Iris Society. We were one of the garden Amarillo
clubs who helped start Amarillo Botanical Gardens. Botanical Gardens
Every year, new irises are registered and offered for
sale, so I always think I still need more irises. I buy
irises every year. My beginning collection of two or
three plants has become a collection of about 1,800.

In my spare time, I pull weeds and water the two
club beds at the ABG, along with tending my own
garden. I am now serving as President of the Garden
Clubs at the Botanical Gardens. At our meetings, we
discuss what each club is doing and what programs Free Admission
are planned. All of the garden clubs help support the
ABG. North Plains Iris Society

Amarillo Senior Link 21