So then, why would I want to do a tribute to Schreiner’s Iris Gardens? Well, to explain this properly I would have to backtrack to 1992…

When I was twelve, a seed catalog known as Burpee arrived in my parent’s mailbox. Their catalog was filled with various annuals, perennials and vegetables. Inside their catalog were two pages devoted to Tall Bearded Irises. I was attracted to them as soon as I laid my eyes upon them. Perhaps it was the unique flower form that drew me in or the vast color combinations. I thought the names of the cultivars were interesting as well. Whatever the case, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. They offered a collection: one each of the eight irises pictured on the two pages. I never thought to myself that there were more varieties of Irises other than the ones they offered. So I purchased the collection and the following year, I had wonderful blooms.

It wasn’t until that following season when I received a postcard (more of an advertisement), to receive a free mini-catalog from Schreiner’s Iris Gardens. It was free, so I figured why not. I was simply blown away by the sheer color variety they came in. You can probably guess what happened next – I started ordering more Irises. When I received my order later that year, I was amazed at the size and quality of the rhizomes. Not only that, but they also sent their “Iris Lover’s Catalog” within the shipment. It was then that I learned that seven out the eight Irises I purchased from Burpee where Schreiner introductions and that the ones that I ordered from the Schreiner’s mini-catalog were also mostly Schreiner introductions.

So this is where my story ends and my tribute begins. My current project is to compile a list and photo album of all the Schreiner cultivars that were introduced from their beginnings to present day. However, I will need your help. If you know of a cultivar that I am missing from my list, or if you have a photo of a Schreiner cultivar that is at least 350 X 350 pixels, please EMAIL ME them to me so I can make this list complete. You will get proper credit for your photo. THANK YOU!