Personally I hate showing Iris, but i do it. I do it because it is just one more way in which gardeners can discover Iris.
When I buy irises, I do so from a catalogue full of pictures, or I buy
a potted plant with a photo label in it. Whether a plant has won an
award never comes into my decision. The photo is what is important.
I have never been to an iris show. I don't even know where the
closest one would be. I've been to lily shows here, went to a
daffodil show in Oregon, but have never seen an announcement for an
iris show on the Pacific coast. There are plenty of iris out here -
I've seen iris growing along highways in Oregon, presumably planted by
Schreiners.
I don't think shows and awards have that much impact on buyers.
However, you are suggesting that they have a big effect on what iris
nurseries will offer for sale.
Diane
On 26-Nov-10, at 8:57 AM, Robert Pries wrote:
> Remember i noted that most SPEC-X are being produced by overseas
> hybridizers. There is now a chauvenistic movement to restrict all
> American awards to American Hybridizers. This also would kill the
> SPEC-X category and limit the irises available to Americans. Even
> those who do not like bearded Iris would loose most of their present
> sources.
