The Painter's garden in Napa provided my wife and myself one very memorable afternoon three years ago and I was saddened to read that they have had to close their gardens due to health issues. They are still available for some new introductions and past introductions, but they weren't able to replant last fall so most of the inventory is no longer available. The Painter's gardens were a crowned jewel in NoCal and their rhizomes were always the highest caliber and huge size. Check out their new introductions and make sure you don't miss out while they still are available. Thanks Lesley and John, you've brought much color and joy into our world, and your irises will continue to make a colorful and bold impact in many of our gardens for many years to come!
www.napairis.com

Richard ~ That is sad news.

Richard, thanks for sharing this information. It is sad news. I truly was going to order from them this year... they had carried 'Scottish Reel', which is now on my must have list.

I hate to see yet another iris vendor closing down. All kinds of hard work will cease to be known, and that sucks. I hope they get to feeling better, but may Napa live on in its legacy.

Really sad news! Best wishes for them!

I am very sad too. I have some very pretty irises that came by them!! I just have to wonder if all the fires aren't causing some of the health issues. so much also for letting us know they will have some intros though. One I was interested in ordering from them was an intro of Lesley's. So I will make sure to check. Prayers and their way!!!

Just to make sure no one misinterprets my post, the public gardens are closed and not accessible this year. The huge inventory has been dwindled down to mostly their own introductions over the years, but they are still available for placing orders this year. If there is a cultivar introduced by John or Lesley, show them how much you appreciate their work and add their rhizomes to your garden!

That is very sad news. Their iris garden was beautiful and very well maintained. I couldn't believe they did all the work themselves! I hope the health issues are nothing serious and they just need to slow down and let their bodies heal.

such sad news. They have lovely iris and are such talented hybridizers.

It is alarming how many iris gardens have closed in the last year.

Thankfully, they are still taking orders. Tonight I purchased 3.

So sorry that Napa Gardens is closing, I too, just bought 3 . Several of my all time favorites, like Mad World, are from the Painters.
I wish improved health for them, and thank them for all the beauty.

Richard - my three are,:

Ruby Red Dress
French Lavender
Plum Wicked.

I ordered Painter irises from other vendors also.

In view of the situation of Napa Iris and the Painter family, I just placed a small order with them. Also I have started a new thread,

Napa Iris - What Painters' Irises do you have? New orders?

Sad to hear they are closing. I had just found them recently and had placed an order. I just went back and placed another one. So sad I wont be able to next year.

Anne ~ They may not be closing next year, but be on the watch for it. When age and illness are severe, things happen. We wish them the very best, and hope this setback is temporary, but eventually there may be another direction taken. In the mean time, I hope that they are able to afford some help with the business.

When I think of the work involved in an iris business, it's daunting, particularly when age creeps up on you.

Jan ~ Yes, that is SO true! Even for "iris fanciers" that came into this "game" late in life. I am hoping to be able to keep up with everything and continue with good health.

The best support I can give is to continue to do business with them. I wish both of them the best of health and that they are able to get some good help. I wish there was something else I could do.

queenanne42 said:The best support I can give is to continue to do business with them. I wish both of them the best of health and that they are able to get some good help. I wish there was something else I could do.

I agree, Anne. It may be a temporary closure, like the closing of the Shady Spot. A breather, so to speak. I hope that is the case.