Summer Show held at RHS Wisley on 28th-29th May 2011

If you have read previous show reports, you will realise how much the weather influences the show entries. The Summer Show was no exception and the very early season meant that many of the usual exhibitors in the south-east had no blooms left to show. Potentially a disaster! In these difficult circumstances, it was the camaradie and good will of the members pulling together that made the show a success.

We are greatful to everyone who made the extra effort. We had blooms from as far away as Debyshire and Shropshire. Clare Kneen showed for the first time and was pleased to exhibit her new Siberian iris seedlings, though better known for her Tall Beardeds. Claire Austin, at the end of an exhausting week at Chelsea, stole away from that show to bring armfuls of spikes. Sharon Evans was on the way to a wedding, but still managed to stage some entries en route. A big thank you to all of the exhibitors.

Gary Middelton, the UK hybridiser of Tall Bearded iris showed several of his irises. 'Arctic Sunrise' and 'Spires of Sapphire' were recommended for inclusion in the next RHS AGM trial at Wisley due to be planted in 2012. Gary was on hand during the day to talk about his work and hopefully to enthuse others to follow his lead.

Peter Taggart, the Show Secretary, whose love of all the iridaceae is clearly shown by his exhibits diplayed the a dwarf form of Iris paradoxa and an unusual sisyrinchium for which he was recommended Cultural Commendations. Staging entries and managing the show is a difficut balancing act and he is to be congratulated.

During the afternoon, there was a talk by Anne Blanco White about species irises (open to the public without charge). Anne has been President of the Society twice and given her experience was able to give a good perspective on the species iris, both from an historical viewpoint and from the latest thinking. In fact, her last slide was an iris only just discovered.

The next BIS event is the first Bryan Dodsworth Memorial Lecture at 2pm on Saturday 10 September at the Hillside Events Centre, RHS garden, Wisley.
We are very pleased that Dr Tomas Tamberg has agreed to fly from Berlin specially to present this lecture. With his many years of experience creating inter-species hybrids - this is one not to be missed!
The lecture will be introduced by Simon Dodsworth, Bryan’s son.
Everyone is welcome and entry is free (though normal Wisley entry charges apply).

Alun Whitehead