“Singular and beautiful colour”
“Irises have been compared to Orchids, and those who delight in singular and beautiful colour, and to whom greenhouses and hot-houses are denied, may find a substitute for Orchids in irises”
By William Robinson, from “The English Flower Garden,” 1892
Latest from our Noticeboard
Book Release – Why Irises?
It’s here, the eagerly awaited and definitive book on irises; many Iris lovers have waited a long time for Gwenda Harris to put pen to paper and give the...
Annual Convention 2019
This year the South Canterbury Iris Group is hosting the Annual NZ Iris Society Convention in Timaru from Friday 15 to Monday 18 November 2019....
Safari Far North 2019
This year (2019) the Safari is being hosted in Whangarei by the Mid North Iris Group on Oct 19th & 20th.Registrations are open.
Our Species
We all begin with a love affair and for most it is with the Tall Bearded Iris which comes in all hues except a true red and green, however the search to perfect these colours in the Iris continues today as it has done for the past 80 odd years.
Below you can see examples of New Zealand Irises.
Arils and Aril Bred Irises
The common characteristic of these very different species from which the term “aril” arises is a white appendage on one end of the seed. This appendage or aril varies in size in each species.
Tall Bearded Irises
It is a large genus containing, among several sub-genera, bearded or pogon iris, the most popular and most frequently grown iris. Thousands of named varieties have been developed over the last 100 years or so, in a wide range of colours and sizes.
Beardless Iris
There is a growing interest in the non bearded irises. Including these in your garden will extend the flowering season over almost the whole year.
Iris Society Benefits
Seed Pool
View the seed pool list here.
Society Membership
Join the New Zealand Iris Society for information, communication, socialising, a quality bulletin, excellent book and slide libraries, seed pool, robins, seminars and garden visits and much more …
Society Awards
The New Zealand Dykes Medal can be awarded every second year by the British Iris Society on the recommendation of the New Zealand Iris Society. To view previous recipients please follow the link.
Annual Convention
This year the South Canterbury Iris Group is hosting the convention in Timaru from Friday 15 to Monday 18 November 2019.
Registrations are open so click the button and get onto it now.
Safari 2019
This year the Safari is being hosted in Whangarei by the Mid North Iris Group on Oct 19th & 20th.
Registrations are open.
Reach Us
Address
Find a Group
» Group Locations
Contact
Membership Secretary
Alison Simpson
Email: ams.limavady@xtra.co.nz