ABOUT THE IRIS SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS
The Iris Society of Massachusetts (ISM) is friendly, exciting, sociable and educational. We are a group of people who love irises of all types and sizes. We are novices and veterans of many years. We live in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont (with a few members planted in other states and even other countries). We are apartment dwellers, suburbanites, country gardeners and commercial growers.
When irises are blooming in New England, from late April to July, ISM sponsors shows and tours of members’ gardens. We hold sales and auctions in the summer where modern hybrids are available at bargain prices. We publish a newsletter two times a year and meet three or four times a year on weekends to discuss iris culture and gardening, to see slides of new varieties, old favorites, exotic species, and hybridizers’ seedling patches, and to hear from iris experts and enthusiasts from all over the country.
Newcomers are always welcome to join us for any event. Have a look at the schedule of upcoming events for more information or get in touch with one of our officers.
The Iris Society of Massachusetts is nonprofit affiliate of the American Iris Society (AIS) and AIS Region 1 (New England).
ISM membership is one of the best bargains around - only $5 per household for a full year of IRID-ISM, our twice-yearly newsletter, plus meetings, tours, sales, shows and other events.
Send your information to membership secretary Linda Sobek l.sobek@comcast.net and your check to treasurer Sarah Cummer - 42 Monument St., Medford, MA 02155-6716, Phone: (781) 643 5945.
Join the American Iris Society to connect with a national group of people dedicated to promoting our favorite flower.
You can get more information about joining AIS as well as many of its sections and cooperating societies at the AIS membership site.
Our next event will be the Region 1/ISM Meeting/Garden Tour and Judges' Training (click here for more info) on Sunday, May 26 - - 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
The tour will start at Marty Schafer's and Jan Sacks' Joe Pye Weed's Garden in Carlisle, MA, at 13:00 AM, followed by lunch at Stephanie Markham's and Larry Wilson's Toadland Gardens in Norfolk, MA, at 1:00 PM (bring a sandwich; drinks and dessert will be provided). 2 hours of in-garden judges’ training on bearded irises (exact topic TBD, depending on what is blooming) will be provided at Toadland Gardens, starting at 2:00 PM.
NOTICES TO MEMBERS:
If you would like a 2013 AIS calendar ($5 each), contact Barbara Schmieder at ornacirises@verizon.net or call (978) 369-3383.
If you have not been receiving your IRID-ISM newsletter or meeting notices, please contact Linda Sobek l.sobek@comcast.net.