Gift Certificates are available in any dollar amount. Call or Email for details.

Greetings for 2008

How time flies! Finally, after thirty years of relentless expansion on this property, it is “time to cut back” – a little. This year, there are large blocks of ground lying summer fallow (resting) and we’d like to try a little of that too. We’ve been working from dawn ’til dark and then some, from April until November for many years. There needs to be time for some breaks. You won’t notice it much in the catalog except that some of the older varieties are gone to make room for newer irises. The seedling field, however, is larger than ever and going in many diverse directions. Trying to develop reblooming irises with all types continues to be a main focus.

In our field planning , we are gearing up for a National Spuria Convention, due here in 2010, and a national Japanese Iris Convention in 2011. Our Greater Portland Iris Society does not rest on it’s laurels! We usually have bloom from early April until July 1st, with a scattering of rebloom later in the summer. Maximum bloom usually occurs around the Memorial Day week-end in May. The fields are planted and labeled by category and alphabetically. Garden visitors are welcome daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. throughout bloom season. However, if you are visiting from a distance, or are interested in a specific type of iris, it is best to call or email to check on bloom, or make an appointment. The best time to reach us near a phone is after dark, Pacific time.

Our “family of hybridizers” will be expanding in 2009 with possibly 3 new people. We continue to test plants from Anton Mego in Slovakia and Michelle Bersillon in France. Diversity will continue to be the mainstay of our offerings. Overseas sales are also a growing portion of our business as internet access grows.

Our objective with iris hybridizing is to produce and promote “award quality” irises (superior garden and show plants). We continue to focus on extended bloom season with all types of irises.

The American Iris Society awards system offers a bright future for our “family of hybridizers”. Marky Smith’s Starwoman (IB) was, once again, runner up for the Dykes medal. Another of Marky’s IB’s, Delirium, won the Sass Medal. At the Award of Merit level, Slovak Prince (Anton Mego), Crackling Caldera (Aitken) and Code Red (Aitken) were big winners in the TB class. In the Miniature Tall bearded class, Stephanie Markham’s Dancing Lilacs received an AM. Chad Harris was an AM winner in the Japanese iris class with Blushing Snowmaiden. Collectively, our group garnered 9 HM’s as well. At the Northwest regional level, Terry received best-in-region cultivar with (TB) Crackling Caldera while Lynn Markham received best-out-of–Region award with (TB) Other Voices. Our sincere thanks go to our loyal and long time customers from around the world.

In addition to this catalog, our on line catalog continues to be a growing source of communication, with many more pictures being added.

Enjoy your gardening season in 2008.

Terry and Barbara Aitken