I am not a member of the nearest Iris society club/society and they are having their yearly sale here in a few weeks. Its open to non members. I cant attend the first day but I can attend the second day, as I am off that day. I am thinking of going and checking it out/talking with them. I know some here have been to their local iris society sales. What can I aspect or kinda aspect by going.

Go early as the best rhizomes go very fast. You can expect friendly people who really want you to come in and buy some irises. You can expect people who will answer your iris questions. You can expect many different types of irises. You will be invited to join. I recommend that if you do not join at the sale that you visit a meeting and then join. The irises will be sorted and placed on the tables in groups. Some clubs place them by color. Some place them by date. There should always be a photo of the iris by the rhizomes. They should also be sorted by whether they are a TB, BB, IB, etc. If they are not sorted by the latter they will be marked TB, BB, IB, etc and it will be up to you to make your choices. You will be offered a sack or bag to put your choices in and then you will take them to a table where they will be counted and you will pay. You always gat a bargain and beauties. The clubs depend on the funds raised to pay the rents where they hold meetings etc but they also want to encourage new members and the general public to buy/plant/grow irises so they are priced to sell. Once you have made the first round go back and slowly make the rounds again just to enjoy the sale, the people and the iris talk. have fun.

Be there at the last minute too. I have walked away with iris off a $1 table at sale's end.

At the end of the last swap, I got around 20 dwarf rhizomes that someone had potted and not named and all the other perennials no one chose. We will have fun seeing what they are in the spring.

Thanks Bonnie, that's some good info,. I am sure I will go on the second day due to the fact I get off an hour before it ends on the first day and its going to be an hour or so from where I work.

If you have a smart phone or ipad, you can look up the pictures and information about bloom time, etc. as you consider them if that is not provided. We keep a computer at our sale so that people can look those things up or we look them up so that people know what they are getting. We also have NOID grab bags that are really inexpensive and often at the end, you can get good deals. No shipping charges....and fun to talk iris with others who share your passion.

So far it sounds like it can/is/should be a good time if I go.

Jane, we keep all that information, along with a really nice color photo of the iris, attached to the basket the rhizome is in. The sheets are laminated and we can use them for several years if we have that particular iris for sale without having to re-create the information. At the end of the sale they are filed alpha and that makes set-up easier.

Linnea, it sounds like you got some really good bargains. I love watching a little noid to see what it will be.

However, Richard, if you wait until almost the end you may not get anything. Last year we were advertised to close at 2 but had sold out by noon.

Have fun and tell us about your iris adventure.

I will try to post an update if I can. I email the chapter and asked if they have N idea of what will be offered. If hey do, I'll see if I could make arrangements to have it set aside and go as soon as I get off work on that Saturday. I would be showing up as they would be closing if they go all day. Isince I head my dept at work,I could go in early that day and try to get off early. Just would like to experience it just once if nothing else.

I do know with our club it would be really hard to come up with a good list before the sale. Many members show up with Iris the morning of the sale.. Most of us that went to the digs were pretty busy trimming and labeling. I think it would be a great idea, but logistically, it would be difficult.

Whatever you decide to do Richard, I hope you have fun and meet other enthusiasts who share your passion... and of course go home with some great new Iris for your garden.