Source list for Iris species and cultivars

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Dear Iris experts;

 

            I am sending this to several key people who might have the power to implement an idea. Most of you are probably aware of the Hardy Plant Finder, a book that lists all the hardy plants offered for sale in England and Europe during the last nine years. Serious gardeners use it to find plants which they have been looking for and the garden source that offer them.

             I would like to suggest that a comparable reference limited to Iris would be useful for AIS members and for that matter other gardeners who desire specific plants. Today with computers it would seem relatively easy to create a list of irises offered for sale in the last ten years with the source nurseries. Surely most modern nurseries could provide a list of their offerings in a digital format that could be merged with other lists to provide a list of Iris in cultivation and possible sources for these.

             This seems like exactly the type of thing that should be available on an AIS website if we truly wish to promote Iris. It also gives a concept of what cultivars are available or not in commerce.

             Actually I am astounded that the USA is so for behind Europe and England in such matters.