The Bayshore Iris Society will host the American Iris Society Region 4 Fall Meeting on Oct. 18-19 at the St. Michaels Inn.
The event is open to the public.
The meeting is scheduled to coincide with the anticipated peak bloom time for irises that can rebloom in the fall in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The two-day meeting features an Iris Show, iris education, a silent auction, a Patriot River Cruise, scavenger hunt, guest speakers, garden tours, a plant sale, door prizes and a banquet catered by Chesapeake Landing Restaurant.
Bayshore society members have planted dozens of reblooming irises in their gardens, hoping to have abundant bloom for the Iris Show and the Garden Tours. The Iris Show is free to attend and will be open to the public for viewing at the St. Michaels Inn on Friday, Oct. 18, from 1-3 p.m. Anyone may enter irises in the show Friday morning from 10 a.m. to 11:45 am.
The river cruise will depart at 4 p.m on Oct. 18 and is included in the registration fee for those signing up to attend the full event.
It is also open to the public and anyone may purchase a ticket for the cruise on their own as long as seats are available.
The Silent Auction will feature up to 20 different new 2024 potted irises, other plants, gift certificates, gift baskets and other items from Bay Shore Iris Society members and local businesses.
The plant sale will have irises and other plants grown by members of AIS Region 4 and everyone who completes the scavenger hunt on time will get a free iris.
There will be a guest speaker each night. Incoming AIS president, Bonnie Nichols, of Dallas, Texas, will speak about the national group on Friday evening, and internationally known horticulturist, lecturer and author, Ruth Rogers Clausen, will speak on “Perennials and Shrubs as Suitable Companions for Iris” on Saturday evening. Clausen will also have some of her books available for purchase and book signing.
To register, contact John Iwanski at 443-783-1594 or [email protected]. For questions about the event, contact Pat McNeal at 443-786-3668.
