AIS: Popularizing non-TB iris
- To: i*@onelist.com
- Subject: AIS: Popularizing non-TB iris
- From: H*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 11:28:12 EST
From: HIPSource@aol.com
In a message dated 12/5/99 3:20:11 AM Eastern Standard Time, DWiris@aol.com
writes:
<< I attended the AIS Board Meeting in November and someone made the point
that the general public is primarily interested in tall bearded irises
because they are the showiest. Therefore, to attract and keep members, AIS
must cater to the desires of the majority. >>
Well, I don't know about all that. I mean, we keep hearing that, but are we
certain we know that? And even if it is true it doesn't follow that AIS can't
take an active role in the situation and do a little consciousness-raising,
starting with its own. Why should the organization definitionally be in
thrall to one very limited interest when our mission is supposed to be
education?
Personally, I think that 'general public' around here is mostly interested in
water irises at the moment, and I also think that many people who garden
seriously avoid tall bearded irises and, indeed, many modern hybrids like the
plague precisely because they are so 'showy', and, like the hybrid tea rose,
or dinnerplate dahlias, convey the impression that they have been bred for
the show bench rather than to be elements in a garden compostion.
If you push only showy irises you will attract only those interested in showy
irises, and showing irises, but if you want to encourage all sorts of
gardeners to know and appreciate the remarkable range contained in the Genus
and its hybrids, including the horticulturally savvy whose tastes follow
horticultural trends and the creative and adventurous whose tastes create
these trends, not to mention the rest of the professional horticultural
community who, in my experience is appalling ignorant of irises, then the
educational task becomes more difficult, or more interesting if you prefer,
but that direction is clearly where the action is, and that is where
gardeners are, and where a vital pool of potential new members is, many of
whom are themselves postioned to spred the word to others. However, I'll
tell you point blank that our failure to date in being able to define
effective environmentally-conscious procedures to address predictable
cultural issues impacts the degree to which we can sustain any credibility
with many such people.
Me, I'd like to see AIS hitch up its hoop skirts and leap merrily into a
wilder arena, move on beyond the show bench and commit itself to a vital role
in the greater world of modern horticulture and gardening. And I believe that
such is not only possible, it is imperative for the organization's survival.
Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com
--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU!
Tired of filling out forms and remembering passwords? Gator fills in
forms and passwords with just one click! Comes with $50 in free coupons!
<a href=" http://clickme.onelist.com/ad/gator4 ">Click Here</a>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
