We have had a number of new contributors show up since this thread went dormant and I have not put in my story. So I think it is time to open this again.
I always helped my mother in the garden as a child, but it was a really small one with roses, lilacs and some annuals. I was the designated Japanese Beetle killer. This was in the southern part of Nassau County on Long Island. Between my junior and senior years of college Mother took me to a flower show in our little town. I was hooked and that last year of college I started growing African Violets on the window sills of our apartment. Mother came to Utah for my graduation and then we visited relatives and friends she hadn't seen in twelve years. It was Iris season and as we went from relative to relative to friend, we accumulated iris. Can't remember all the names, but do remember Ola Kala, Minnie Colquitt and Chantilly. Within two to three years I was ordering from Melrose Gardens and had attended iris shows and iris meetings in members houses. I didn't drive at that time, but kind members would pick me up. One variety I know I got about then was Pacific Panorama, I think as a bonus. I grew that one into the 80s.
When we moved to Utah in 1969, I got to start over from scratch as we found our New York garden had the bad nematodes. I arrived in October and by January I had found the local club. My big thing was showing my iris, which I had started with our last year in New York. Over the years I grew many types of bearded and beardless iris from miniature dwarfs to siberians, spurias, pseudacoras and graminia. Love the medians and dwarfs and was able to convince others to start an early show. Now there is a lot of interest in them. We were very lucky in having Melba Hamblen's Mission Bell Gardens about 35 miles north. She traded with other hybridizers so we saw a lot of newer varieties there. I have hundreds of slides. Also got to attend three iris conventions in California and Washington in the 70s and 80s. More recently we have had the Kaspareks, first in our valley about 30 minutes from my home and now further north so have only been there once or twice. Five others of our members hybridized and have introduced iris. Les Peterson with Gala Madrid and arilbred Bangladesh and others, Hyram Ames with Walkara and others, DC Anderson with Dazzling Gold. Keith Wagstaff with Touch of Class, Don Nebeker with Zandria, Amazing Don and others.
I am rebuilding my garden which had gone to pot; the myrtle and morning glory took over. I have had help in recent years. Unfortunately most of my 2015 acquisitions were planted very late. Spent considerable time on a bed in the front but the morning glory was so bad I had to start over in the back and my help wasn't available for several weeks. I should have potted them up but as well as being short of money I am short of energy. So I may not have many make it through the winter.
On a more up note, I am very much enjoying reading all the comments here. Haven't been able to contribute much lately as have been doing a lot of genealogy for my client. Got some extra Christmas money so am going to order from Blue J soon.
